ANSWER BACK Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "answer back" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of responding defiantly or insolently to a statement or command, typically from someone in a position of authority. It involves engaging in a verbal exchange or a retort that challenges or opposes what has been said or instructed.
When someone "answers back," they are usually disregarding instructions or displaying a lack of respect for the person addressed. This behavior often includes speaking in a disrespectful tone, using rude or sarcastic remarks, or questioning the authority or validity of the statement. "Answering back" can occur in various contexts, such as within a family, school, workplace, or any situation where a person is expected to comply or acknowledge the authority of another individual.
The phrase "answer back" implies a defiance or resistance to authority, suggesting a confrontational attitude or a desire to assert one's own opinions or independence. It is often seen as a negative behavior, displaying a lack of discipline or manners. However, it is essential to consider different cultural contexts and communication styles, as what may be considered "answering back" in one culture might be seen as assertiveness or open dialogue in another.
Common Misspellings for ANSWER BACK
- znswer back
- snswer back
- wnswer back
- qnswer back
- abswer back
- amswer back
- ajswer back
- ahswer back
- anawer back
- anzwer back
- anxwer back
- andwer back
- anewer back
- anwwer back
- ansqer back
- ansaer back
- ansser back
- anseer back
- ans3er back
- ans2er back
Etymology of ANSWER BACK
The phrase "answer back" is a combination of two words, each with their own etymology:
1. Answer: The word "answer" can be traced back to the Old English word "andswaru", which means "a reply or response". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "andsworô", meaning "to swear back". This word is a combination of "and-" (against or back) and "sweran" (to swear or speak).
2. Back: The word "back" originates from the Old English word "bæc", which is related to Old Saxon "bak", Old Norse "bak", and Old High German "bah". It ultimately stems from the Proto-Germanic word "bakam", meaning "back or behind".
When combined, "answer back" refers to the act of giving a reply or response, often in an argumentative or defiant manner.
Idioms with the word ANSWER BACK
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answer back (to sm)
The idiom "answer back (to someone)" means to reply or respond to someone in a rude or impudent manner, especially when being criticized or reprimanded. It implies a disrespectful or defiant attitude towards authority figures or elders.
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answer back (to someone)
The idiom "answer back (to someone)" means to respond to someone in a disrespectful or defiant manner, especially when being reprimanded or given instructions. It implies talking back or arguing instead of accepting or respecting authority.
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answer back
To reply in a rude or argumentative manner.
Conjugate verb Answer back
CONDITIONAL
I
would answer back
you
would answer back
he/she/it
would answer back
we
would answer back
they
would answer back
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be answering back
you
would be answering back
he/she/it
would be answering back
we
would be answering back
they
would be answering back
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have answer back
you
would have answer back
he/she/it
would have answer back
we
would have answer back
they
would have answer back
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been answering back
you
would have been answering back
he/she/it
would have been answering back
we
would have been answering back
they
would have been answering back
FUTURE
I
will answer back
you
will answer back
he/she/it
will answer back
we
will answer back
they
will answer back
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be answering back
you
will be answering back
he/she/it
will be answering back
we
will be answering back
they
will be answering back
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have answered back
you
will have answered back
he/she/it
will have answered back
we
will have answered back
they
will have answered back
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been answering back
you
will have been answering back
he/she/it
will have been answering back
we
will have been answering back
they
will have been answering back
IMPERATIVE
you
answer back
we
let´s answer back
to answer back
PAST
I
answered back
you
answered back
he/she/it
answered back
we
answered back
they
answered back
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was answering back
you
were answering back
he/she/it
was answering back
we
were answering back
they
were answering back
PAST PARTICIPLE
answered back
PAST PERFECT
I
had answered back
you
had answered back
he/she/it
had answered back
we
had answered back
they
had answered back
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been answering back
you
had been answering back
he/she/it
had been answering back
we
had been answering back
they
had been answering back
PRESENT
I
answer back
you
answer back
he/she/it
answers back
we
answer back
they
answer back
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am answering back
you
are answering back
he/she/it
is answering back
we
are answering back
they
are answering back
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
answering back
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have answered back
you
have answered back
he/she/it
has answered back
we
have answered back
they
have answered back
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been answering back
you
have been answering back
he/she/it
has been answering back
we
have been answering back
they
have been answering back
