fight back

To defend yourself by attacking someone who is attacking you.

• He tried to fight back.
• The boy fought back when the bully hit him.
• Would you fight back if someone attacked you?

How to use it: fight back against someone (She fought back against her attacker.)

Similar words: defend yourself, retaliate

Opposites: surrender

Common phrases: fight back hard, fight back immediately, fight back strongly, fight back together

To try hard to stop yourself showing an emotion or reacting physically.

• She fought back her tears.
• I had to fight back a laugh during the meeting.
• He is fighting back his anger as he reads the letter.

How to use it: fight back something (She fought back the urge to laugh.)

Similar words: hold back, suppress, repress

Common phrases: fight back tears, fight back anger

To recover from being behind in a game or competition and win.

• Our team fought back and won.
• Can she fight back from three points behind?
• They fought back to beat the champions.

How to use it: fight back from something (They fought back from a two-goal deficit to win.)

Similar words: come from behind

Common phrases: fight back strongly, fight back to win