Retaliate (3,4) Crossword Clue
Answer: GET EVEN (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Retaliate (3,4)" with 7 letters is "GET EVEN".Get even means to retaliate or take revenge on someone for a wrong done. It refers to the act of balancing the score, seeking retribution, or responding in kind to an offense or injury.
Why “Get Even” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (3,4) meaning “retaliate.” The answer, GET EVEN, fits exactly:
- Retaliate: Get even means to take revenge or settle a score with someone, perfectly matching the idea of retaliating.
- Direct match: With enumeration (3,4), get even matches the clue structure precisely.
- Colloquial accuracy: It is the standard informal phrase used in everyday English for retaliation.
The phrase get even is an enduring idiom in English:
- Origin and usage: First recorded in American English in the 19th century, likely derived from the idea of “balancing” or “equalizing” a score.
- Contexts: Used in both serious and humorous situations, from revenge stories to everyday squabbles.
- Examples: “After being insulted, he vowed to get even,” or “She got even with a prank of her own.”
Quick crossword clues like “retaliate (3,4)” often point to short, colloquial phrases:
- Alternatives such as hit back (3,4) or pay back (3,4) may work in some cases, but get even is the most widely recognized idiom.
- The enumeration (3,4) indicates a two-part phrase, guiding solvers away from single-word synonyms like avenge (6).
- With its exact length, idiomatic familiarity, and precise match to retaliation, get even is the correct crossword solution.
