bite back

To retaliate; to give a sharp retort.

Verb

  1. To retaliate; to give a sharp retort.
  2. To repress (an emotion or a response).
    • He bit back his anger and managed a courteous reply.
    • No one bites back as hard on their anger / None of my pain and woe / Can show through - 1971, The Who, “Behind Blue Eyes”, in Who's Next:

Forms

bites back biting back bit back bitten back