To hit back is to answer an attack with one of your own. Hit back at the criticism.
It is used far more of words than of blows, especially in politics. To hit back at once keeps a story alive for another day, which is why some people say nothing.
1phrasehit backTo answer an attack with one of your own.
“She chose to hit back in the same paper a week later.”
hit back is a phrase.
Practised in Phrasal Verbs