GET BACK AT

{v.}, {informal} To do something bad to (someone who has done something bad to you) hurt in return. * /John played a joke on Henry, and next day Henry got back at him./ * /The elephant waited many years to get back at the man who fed him red pepper./ Syn.: PAY BACK, SETTLE A SCORE, TIT FOR TAT. Compare: GET AT(2), GET EVEN.