talk back
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To say something rude or argumentative to someone who is in charge of you, like a parent or teacher.
Meanings
1 B1 informal
To reply rudely or insolently to someone in authority.
"She was sent to the headmaster's office for talking back to her teacher during the lesson."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Almost exclusively used in the context of a child or young person responding disrespectfully to an adult or authority figure. The American English equivalent of British 'answer back.' Often used in the negative command: 'Don't you dare talk back to me!'
Commonly used with
parent teacher boss authority elder
Forms
Base
talk back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
talks back
he/she/it
Past simple
talked back
yesterday
Past participle
talked back
have + pp
-ing form
talking back
continuous
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Synonyms
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