retaliate

retaliate against (someone or something)

To take retributory action in response to the actions of someone or something with the aim of returning the injury, harm, or wrong in kind. She retaliated against the bully by having her older brother's friends go and beat him up. The senator asserted his intention to have the controversial legislation repealed.
See also: retaliate
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

retaliate against someone or something

to take revenge against someone or something. The striking workers will retaliate against the company with a protest march. The students retaliated against the administration.
See also: retaliate
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • retaliate against
  • retaliate against (someone or something)
  • prey
  • be prey to (someone or something)
  • be/fall prey to something
  • fall prey to
  • fall prey to (someone or something)
  • fall prey to something
  • harm
  • taught
References in periodicals archive
China has many other ways to retaliate, such as dumping its considerable holdings of U.S.
Stressing that talks with Kashmir are important, the premier cautioned, "The situation should not get out of hand or Pakistan will have to retaliate."
He said: "If Indians believe that they can launch an attack on Pakistan, they should understand that Pakistan would not think, but retaliate immediately."
Jafari has threatened to retaliate against neighboring Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates over a suicide car bombing on Wednesday, Feb.
With this, the death toll in Pakistani retaliate action since January 19 has risen to 11.
However, if North Korea does retaliate, then the US reserves the right to, as Trump put it to the UN General Assembly,AaAeAeA "totally destroy Nor Korea".
Police have arrested one of the attackers who was injured when the locals opened fire to retaliate. Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured persons to nearby hospital.
During the attack, Shakoor was present at the scene but he didn't retaliate.
Global Banking News-October 9, 2015--Foreign banks retaliate against U.S.
12 (BNA): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said their countries would retaliate fiercely against any violation of territories of Saudi Arabia.
by Abasin Zaheer on 1 June, 2014 - 18:50 KABUL (Pajhwok): Meshrano Jirga members on Sunday once again insisted the government should give a firm response to Pakistani attacks and should not stay silent and instead retaliate. The periodic attacks involving artillery, rockets and missiles from Pakistan have been taking place over the past three years, hitting eastern provinces, especially Kunar.
Summary: The Israeli army launched an observation balloon Thursday morning to survey the area over the town of Metula, a week after Hezbollah vowed to retaliate for an Israeli air raid.
BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Parliament Speaker Usama Nujaifi denounced Israeli attack on Syrian targets, calling the Syrian regime to retaliate. In a statement by Parliament Media Department, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, Nujaifi called the Arab countries to "have a unified stand against the Israeli aggression, for it occurred against the Arab people and Arab land, which matter is unacceptable according to UN Charter.
Turkey warns Syria again that it would not hesitate to retaliate for any strike on its soil as the country's top military commander visited troops stationed at the reinforced border.
NNA - AL SHARQ AL AWSAT: Aleppo without water..Assad infantry storm into Yarmouk Camp Moscow wants the approval of the Security Council on the Geneva Accord, Washington stipulates sanctions if not implemented AL MOUSTAQBAL: Sleiman steadfast on congratulating ISF on Samaha case, retaliates to "preachers" who claim elections not to take place Iran's defense strategy: Hezbollah to retaliate to Israel ANNAHAR: Conflict under control in Aakar, Rweiss under scrutiny Sleiman from Amcheet to skeptics: No backing down March 14 contains repercussions of release of officers Fate of abductees still unknown, loss of contact with kidnappers AL HAYAT: Damascus reproach Lebanese President for uncovering its apology over Aakar violations Official Lebanese-Syrian tension made public