I threatened the dog and the dog bit back.
2. Fig. to fight back at someone; to return someone's anger or attack; to speak back to someone with anger. •She is usually tolerant, but she will bite back if pressed.
•Yes, she will bite back.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
bite back — To refrain from saying • • • Main Entry: ↑bite * * * bite back [phrasal verb] informal 1 : to attack or criticize someone who has attacked or criticized you Weary of her rival s accusations, the candidate bit back [=hit back, fought back] with an … Useful english dictionary
bite back — phrasal verb Word forms bite back : present tense I/you/we/they bite back he/she/it bites back present participle biting back past tense bit back past participle bitten back 1) bite back something [transitive] to stop yourself from saying what… … English dictionary
bite — bite1 [ baıt ] (past tense bit [ bıt ] ; past participle bit|ten [ bıtn ] ) verb ** 1. ) intransitive or transitive to use your teeth to cut or break something, usually in order to eat it: I wish you wouldn t bite your nails. bite into: Tom had… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
bite — bite1 S2 [baıt] v past tense bit [bıt] past participle bitten [ˈbıtn] present participle biting ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(teeth)¦ 2¦(insect/snake)¦ 3¦(press hard)¦ 4¦(effect)¦ 5¦(accept)¦ 6¦(fish)¦ … Dictionary of contemporary English
bite — 1 verb past tense bit, past participle bitten 1 WITH YOUR TEETH (I, T) to cut or crush something with your teeth: Be careful! My dog bites. | Do you bite your fingernails? (+ into/through): biting into a juicy apple | They had to bite through the … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
bite — [c]/baɪt / (say buyt) verb (bit, bitten or, Archaic, bit, biting) –verb (t) 1. to cut into or wound, with the teeth: the dog bit me. 2. to grip with the teeth. 3. to sting, as an insect. 4. to cau …
bite — [[t]ba͟ɪt[/t]] ♦ bites, biting, bit, bitten 1) VERB If you bite something, you use your teeth to cut into it, for example in order to eat it or break it. If an animal or person bites you, they use their teeth to hurt or injure you. [V n] Both… … English dictionary
bite — I UK [baɪt] / US verb Word forms bite : present tense I/you/we/they bite he/she/it bites present participle biting past tense bit UK [bɪt] / US past participle bitten UK [ˈbɪt(ə)n] / US ** 1) [intransitive/transitive] to use your teeth to cut or… … English dictionary
bite — verb (past bit; past participle bitten) 1》 use the teeth to cut into something. ↘(of a snake, insect, or spider) wound with a sting, pincers, or fangs. 2》 (of a tool, tyre, boot, etc.) grip or take hold on a surface. ↘(of an object) press … English new terms dictionary
Complimenting and congratulating someone — ◊ clothes and appearance If you know someone quite well, or are talking to someone in an informal situation, you can compliment them on their clothes or appearance using an expression such as That s a nice coat , What a lovely dress , or I like… … Useful english dictionary
complimenting and congratulating someone — ◊ clothes and appearance If you know someone quite well, or are talking to someone in an informal situation, you can compliment them on their clothes or appearance using an expression such as That s a nice coat , What a lovely dress , or I like… … Useful english dictionary
