tit for tat
noun phrase
: an equivalent given in return (as for an injury) : retaliation in kind
tit-for-tat
adjective
Examples of tit for tat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The economic toll of the tit for tat is starting to become clear.
—
Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The intensifying trade war puts the business interests of Tesla and Musk, who gave millions to reelect Trump and campaigned for him in key swing states, at a crossroads with the president, who is not letting up on the tit for tat with China.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025
The unsatisfactory solution might just be giving up exporting to the U.S.
The tit for tat imposition of tariffs and reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China puts a magnifying glass over the scope of competitive threat the Chinese auto industry to the domestic companies.
—Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The tit for tat action marks the latest development in a simmering trade war that has been marked by bold promises of tariffs — and subsequent reversals and delays — by Trump.
—Katrina Bishop,amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
The booing seems to be a continuation of an apparent tit for tat that began almost two weeks ago, when hockey fans in Montreal jeered at the Star-Spangled Banner during a hockey matchup between the two countries amid ongoing tensions with tariff disputes.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
The United States and China spent this week going tit for tat in an escalating trade war.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Apr. 2025
But Trump and China continued raising the tariffs in a tit for tat.
—Associated Press, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
President Donald Trump will hit China with 104% tariffs starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday – escalating a tit for tat between the two countries.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
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Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The intensifying trade war puts the business interests of Tesla and Musk, who gave millions to reelect Trump and campaigned for him in key swing states, at a crossroads with the president, who is not letting up on the tit for tat with China.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025
The unsatisfactory solution might just be giving up exporting to the U.S.
The tit for tat imposition of tariffs and reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China puts a magnifying glass over the scope of competitive threat the Chinese auto industry to the domestic companies.
—Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The tit for tat action marks the latest development in a simmering trade war that has been marked by bold promises of tariffs — and subsequent reversals and delays — by Trump.
—Katrina Bishop,amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
The booing seems to be a continuation of an apparent tit for tat that began almost two weeks ago, when hockey fans in Montreal jeered at the Star-Spangled Banner during a hockey matchup between the two countries amid ongoing tensions with tariff disputes.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
The United States and China spent this week going tit for tat in an escalating trade war.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Apr. 2025
But Trump and China continued raising the tariffs in a tit for tat.
—Associated Press, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
President Donald Trump will hit China with 104% tariffs starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday – escalating a tit for tat between the two countries.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tit for tat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tit%20for%20tat. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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