to react to something bad by doing something bad.

The attorney general hit back at critics who have questioned her handling of the crisis.

We imposed import duties on their goods, and they hit back with tariffs on our products.

Etymology: based on the idea of literally hitting someone who has hit you

• in the hole
• in the hot seat
• in the house
• in the interim
• in their infinite wisdom
• in their wisdom
• in the know
• in the lap of luxury
• in the light of
• in the light of something
• in the line of duty
• in the line of fire
• in the long haul
• in the long run
• in the long term
• in the loop
• in the main
• in the making
• in the market for
• in the market for something
• in the meantime
• in the meanwhile
• in the medium term
• in the middle of
• in the middle of doing something