get back at (someone)
idiom
informal
: to do something bad or unpleasant to (someone who has treated one badly or unfairly)
After he lost his job, he vowed that he would find a way to get back at his old boss.
Examples of get back at (someone) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tykwer doesn’t bring anything close to the subtlety and shading that Kieslowski would have, in the story of a vigilante teacher (Blanchett) who tries to get back at drug dealers who have infiltrated her school by blowing them up with a bomb, which ends up killing the wrong people.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024
The assistant district attorney alleged that Conley killed Yoder for one of two reasons: to get back at Adam for their tumultuous relationship or to create a traumatic event in Adam's life that would ultimately bring them back together.
—Samantha Stutsman, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024
Perez’s lawyer, Shawn Halbert, told jurors in opening statements that Rocha’s testimony is his latest act in an ongoing attempt to get back at Perez over their feud.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2024
The two eventually hatch a plan to get back at their exes by pretending to be together, but things take a turn when the pair just might unexpectedly fall in love.
—Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for get back at (someone) 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024
The assistant district attorney alleged that Conley killed Yoder for one of two reasons: to get back at Adam for their tumultuous relationship or to create a traumatic event in Adam's life that would ultimately bring them back together.
—Samantha Stutsman, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024
Perez’s lawyer, Shawn Halbert, told jurors in opening statements that Rocha’s testimony is his latest act in an ongoing attempt to get back at Perez over their feud.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2024
The two eventually hatch a plan to get back at their exes by pretending to be together, but things take a turn when the pair just might unexpectedly fall in love.
—Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for get back at (someone)
Dictionary Entries Near get back at (someone)
Cite this Entry
“Get back at (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20back%20at%20%28someone%29. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share