# fight back

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fight-back
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to resist or defend yourself when someone attacks you or treats you unfairly.

For teachers: to resist an attack or an opposing force; to take action against a person or group that has caused harm or difficulty.

## Examples

- If someone hits you, you should fight back.
- The small company decided to fight back against the larger corporation by lowering its prices.
- After years of systemic oppression, the local community began to fight back through organized protests and legal challenges.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They fighted back against the army." but "They fought back against the army." — the verb 'fight' is irregular; the past tense form is 'fought'.

## Usage notes

- can be used literally for physical combat or figuratively for social and professional resistance.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'retaliate', which often implies a specific act of revenge, whereas 'fight back' focuses on the act of resistance itself.

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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.