talk back to

Meaning

This phrase means to reply disrespectfully or argumentatively to an authority figure, such as a parent, teacher, or boss. It implies a lack of respect and is usually considered bad behavior. It is frequently used in parenting and educational contexts.

Examples

• Don't talk back to your mother like that!

  Don't talk back to your mother like that!

• The student was sent to the principal's office for talking back to the teacher.

  The student was sent to the principal's office for talking back to the teacher.

• I never dared to talk back to my parents when I was growing up.

  I never dared to talk back to my parents when I was growing up.

• If you talk back to the manager again, you might get fired.

  If you talk back to the manager again, you might get fired.

• She was a polite child who never talked back to anyone.

  She was a polite child who never talked back to anyone.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The child talked back his father.

  ✓ The child talked back to his father.

  You must include the preposition 'to' when specifying the person being spoken to.

• ✗ He is always talking to back the teacher.

  ✓ He is always talking back to the teacher.

  The phrasal verb is 'talk back', followed by the prepositional phrase 'to [someone]'. Do not place 'to' before 'back'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• You will get grounded if you ___ your parents.

  💡 reply rudely to

  Show answer

  talk back to

• He got in trouble at school because he ___ his history teacher.

  💡 argued disrespectfully with

  Show answer

  talked back to