talk back

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talk back (third-person singular simple present talks back, present participle talking back, simple past and past participle talked back)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive, often with to + d.o.) To reply impertinently or rudely; to answer in a cheeky or rude manner.

   Jane talked back a little too often.

   Jane talked back to most of her teachers.

2. (idiomatic) To return disrespect.

• (reply impertinently): backtalk (verb)
• (both senses): answer back

• talkback (noun)

• backtalk