1 B1 informal
To reply rudely or disrespectfully to someone in authority, especially when being scolded or corrected.
"The teacher sent him to the headmaster's office for answering back."
inseparable
answer back
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To reply rudely or cheekily to someone in authority, especially a parent or teacher.
In plain English
Say something rude or cheeky back to someone like a parent or teacher when they tell you off.
What does "answer back" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To reply to a question or comment, especially quickly or defensively (more neutral sense).
"She answered back immediately, defending her decision without hesitation."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To send an answer back in the direction of the person who spoke.
Actually means
Say something rude or cheeky back to someone like a parent or teacher when they tell you off.
Usage tip
Often used by parents scolding children, or to describe a child's behaviour. Can also mean simply to reply (less common, more neutral sense). 'Don't answer back!' is a classic parental phrase in British English. In American English, 'talk back' is more common.
Words that pair with "answer back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
teacher parent boss authority elders superiors
How to conjugate "answer back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
answer back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
answers back
he/she/it
Past simple
answered back
yesterday
Past participle
answered back
have + pp
-ing form
answering back
continuous
Hear "answer back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "answer back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.