Noun

1. equivalent retribution, an eye for an eye, returning exactly what you get.

   If you hit me, I'll hit you back; tit for tat.

2. hat.

Adjective

1. Having the characteristic of returning bad for bad.

   Unfortunately, many adults retain a tit-for-tat attitude, but in a more refined way than the simple, childish shove for shove.

   • From The Guardian June, 22 2007.

     Amid fears that the end to more than five and a half years of talks would lead to a new era of tit-for-tat protectionism, negotiations between the United States and the European Union broke down.

Usage notes