Tit for tat Meaning and Definition
Tit for tat
Pronunciation
/ˈtɪt ˈfɔːr ˈtæt/
Part of Speech
Noun, Phrase
Definition
A retort or response in kind, specifically a physical or verbal retaliation; an action or reaction in which one person does something unpleasant or harmful to another person as a result of the other person’s similar actions.
Etymology
The phrase “Tit for tat” originates from 16th-century England, derived from the Middle English phrase “tit for a tat”, which is a corruption of the Old English phrase “tīt tát”. The phrase has its roots in the practice of tit-for-tat in hunting, where the hunter would deliberately leave a small gift, usually food, in exchange for a similar offering from the hunted animal.
Usage Notes
Tit for tat is often used to describe a pattern of retaliation, where one person does something unpleasant to another person, and the other person responds in kind. However, it is also used metaphorically to describe a broader pattern of reciprocal actions, whether physical, verbal, or emotional.
Cultural References
The phrase “Tit for tat” has been referenced in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music. For example, in the novel “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James, the character Christian Grey says, “I’m a tit-for-tat kind of guy.” The phrase has also been used in film and television shows, such as “The Sopranos” and “The Simpsons.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Eye for an eye
- To pay back
- To give as good as you get
Related Words or Phrases
- Retaliation
- Reciprocity
- Payback
Collocations
- Tit for tat war
- Tit for tat politics
Frequency of Use
The phrase “Tit for tat” is relatively common in modern language, particularly in informal contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Tit for tat
- Tit for a tat
- Tit at tat