Phrasal verbs "claw back" vs "fight back"

Differences between claw back and fight back

Claw back means to regain something that was lost or taken away, especially money or power, often through force or aggressive tactics. Fight back, on the other hand, means to resist or defend oneself against an attack or challenge.

Meanings and Definitions: claw back vs fight back

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Claw back

  • 1Get money back.

    The new tax will CLAW BACK what the government has given out in grants.

  • 2Retake possession with difficulty.

    The opposition parties are trying to CLAW BACK the voters they lost in the last election.

  • 3Regain possession with difficulty.

    They are CLAWING BACK their market share from their competitors.

Fight back

  • 1Defend yourself, resist an attack.

    The army attacked the town and the inhabitants FOUGHT BACK fiercely.

  • 2Try to control and emotion and keep it hidden.

    He tried to FIGHT BACK the tears when he heard the news of her death.

Usage Examples: claw back, fight back in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

claw back

Example

The company is trying to claw back its lost profits.

Example

She claws back the money she lent to her friend.

fight back

Example

When the bully tried to take his lunch, he decided to fight back.

Example

She fights back whenever someone tries to take advantage of her.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Claw back

To regain possession or control of something that was lost or taken away.

Example

After losing his job, he worked hard to recover his financial stability.

To take back something that was lost or taken away, often with the intention of restoring it to its original state.

Example

The government is working to reclaim land that was illegally seized by developers.

To regain control of something that was lost or taken away, often through force or military action.

Example

The army launched a campaign to retake the city from enemy forces.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Fight back

stand up for oneself

To defend oneself against unfair treatment or criticism.

Example

She decided to stand up for herself and confront her boss about the unequal pay in the company.

To resist or oppose someone or something that is trying to control or influence you.

Example

The community decided to push back against the proposed construction of a new highway that would harm the environment.

resist

To refuse to accept or comply with something, often due to moral or ethical reasons.

Example

Many people chose to resist the government's oppressive policies and fight for their rights.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “fight”

Differences in claw back vs fight back: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: claw back or fight back?

Both claw back and fight back are commonly used in everyday conversation, but fight back is more frequently used. This is because it can be used in a wider range of situations, from physical altercations to emotional struggles.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of claw back and fight back

Claw back and fight back are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, claw back may be more commonly used in business or financial contexts where the idea of regaining lost assets is more relevant.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of claw back and fight back

The tone of claw back is often more aggressive or forceful, as it implies taking back something that was rightfully yours. Fight back, on the other hand, can have a defensive or empowering tone, as it suggests standing up for oneself or resisting an attack.

claw back & fight back: Synonyms and Antonyms

Claw back

Synonyms

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