esl #english #idioms #informal #verb

get back at {v.}, {informal}

To do something bad to (someone who has done something bad to you) hurt in return.

John played a joke on Henry, and next day Henry got back at him.

The elephant waited many years to get back at the man who fed him red pepper.

Syn.: PAY BACK, SETTLE A SCORE, TIT FOR TAT.

Compare: GET AT (2), GET EVEN. Categories: hurt {informal} {v.}