English

Verb

to answer back ‎(phrasal verb)

1. (idiomatic) To reply impertinently; to talk back.

   I'll thank you not to answer back like that! Where are your manners?

2. To reply to a question at a later time.

   Please answer me back before the end of the week.

3. (computing) To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.

Usage notes

• In all senses the object (if mentioned) may appear before or after the particle. If the object is a pronoun, then it must be before the particle.

Translations

See also

• answerback