bite back
phrasal verbbite back (at somebody/something)
- to react angrily, especially when somebody has criticized or harmed you
- The election was a chance for the people to bite back at the government.
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bite something back
- to stop yourself from saying something or from showing your feelings
- She bit back her anger.
- to bite back a smile/laugh/comment
- He bit back the urge to say exactly what he thought of them all.