answer back

If you reply rudely to someone who has authority over you, you are being disrespectful.

• Don't answer back.
• She answered back when her father told her to tidy up.
• Do your students ever answer back to you?

How to use it: answer back to someone (The pupil answered back to his teacher.)

Similar words: talk back

Common phrases: answer back rudely, answer back to someone

To give someone a reply after some time has passed.

• Please answer me back soon.
• She answered him back a week later.
• Will you answer back when you have the details?

How to use it: answer someone back (I will answer you back tomorrow.)

Similar words: reply, respond, get back to

Common phrases: answer someone back, answer back later

To score after the other team or player has just scored.

• Our team answered back quickly.
• The visitors answered back with a touchdown.
• Can City answer back before the final whistle?

How to use it: answer back with something (The visitors answered back with a goal.)

Similar words: respond

Common phrases: answer back quickly, answer back immediately

To send an automatic reply or matching signal to another computer or device.

• The device answers back automatically.
• The terminal answered back with a short code.
• Does the modem answer back when it receives this signal?

How to use it: answer back with something (The terminal answers back with its identification code.)

Similar words: respond

Common phrases: answer back automatically, answer back with something