tit for tat

noun phrase

ˌtit-fər-ˈtat 

: 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 displacement of so many Jews from their ancient home becomes a kind of tit for tat—a balancing act of victimhood against the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who fled or were expelled during Israel’s war of independence. — Adam Louis-Klein, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

Reciprocity within capitalism and white supremacy is tit for tat. — Lorinda Toledo, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

And in a tit for tat, Democrats defended the ACA and blamed Republicans for voting to end the extended ACA subsidies for millions of people. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 May 2026

Texas kick-started the tit for tat with new lines giving Republicans an edge last year, prompting other red states to follow suit. — Julia Mueller, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier tip for tap, from tip (blow) + for + tap

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tit for tat

• acrobat
• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• butterfat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat