# get back at

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-back-at
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To retaliate against; to take revenge on.

## Examples

- He wants to get back at his brother for breaking his toy.
- She spent all afternoon planning how to get back at her coworker for stealing her lunch.
- Driven by a deep sense of betrayal, he spent years carefully plotting to get back at the man who had ruined his reputation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.