1 C1 idiomatic informal
To reply sharply or immediately to something said.
"When the journalist accused him of dishonesty, he rapped back with a list of evidence."
inseparable
rap back
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To reply sharply or quickly; a rare or non-standard phrasal verb.
In plain English
To respond quickly and firmly, usually to something rude or critical — but this is a very uncommon expression.
What does "rap back" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Giving a rap (sharp strike) back in return — responding with force.
Actually means
To respond quickly and firmly, usually to something rude or critical — but this is a very uncommon expression.
Usage tip
'Rap back' is not widely recorded as a standard phrasal verb in major dictionaries. It may appear in informal contexts to mean responding sharply or immediately, but learners should be aware this is rare. More common alternatives include 'snap back,' 'hit back,' or 'fire back.'
How to conjugate "rap back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rap back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
raps back
he/she/it
Past simple
raped back
yesterday
Past participle
raped back
have + pp
-ing form
raping back
continuous
Hear "rap back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "rap back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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