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
Tariffs on Chinese goods remained in place, as Washington and Beijing went tit for tat on import taxes, raising levies on one another to 145 percent and 125 percent, respectively.
—
Julia Shapero, The Hill, 1 Aug. 2025
Though Democratic leaders have indicated a willingness to go tit for tat with Republicans, most of the largest blue states do not have a partisan redistricting process akin to the one in Texas, where the governor can simply call in the Legislature to redraw maps.
—New York Times, 24 July 2025
There were six lead changes during Sunday's final round, as Cink went tit for tat with the Irishman.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Sticking to his campaign promises, Trump added 10 percent tariffs on the whole world and hit China much harder, getting into a tit for tat that for a time this spring charged 145 percent tariffs on Chinese imports.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
The real test of the new relationship, however, will be seen during trade negotiations after both sides have largely walked back from a tariff tit for tat earlier this year.
—Colin Meyn, The Hill, 23 May 2025
But their tit for tat antics on social media have come across as particularly childish given their immense wealth and responsibilities.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2025
For Apple, in particular, the tit for tat between the United States and China caused the tech giant to lose more than $770 billion in market capitalization in just the opening days of Mr. Trump’s trade war.
—Tony Romm, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
The economic toll of the tit for tat is starting to become clear.
—Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 2 May 2025
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Julia Shapero, The Hill, 1 Aug. 2025
Though Democratic leaders have indicated a willingness to go tit for tat with Republicans, most of the largest blue states do not have a partisan redistricting process akin to the one in Texas, where the governor can simply call in the Legislature to redraw maps.
—New York Times, 24 July 2025
There were six lead changes during Sunday's final round, as Cink went tit for tat with the Irishman.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Sticking to his campaign promises, Trump added 10 percent tariffs on the whole world and hit China much harder, getting into a tit for tat that for a time this spring charged 145 percent tariffs on Chinese imports.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
The real test of the new relationship, however, will be seen during trade negotiations after both sides have largely walked back from a tariff tit for tat earlier this year.
—Colin Meyn, The Hill, 23 May 2025
But their tit for tat antics on social media have come across as particularly childish given their immense wealth and responsibilities.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2025
For Apple, in particular, the tit for tat between the United States and China caused the tech giant to lose more than $770 billion in market capitalization in just the opening days of Mr. Trump’s trade war.
—Tony Romm, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
The economic toll of the tit for tat is starting to become clear.
—Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tit for tat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tit%20for%20tat. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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