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Phrasal verbs "drive back" vs "hit back"

Differences between drive back and hit back

Drive back means to return to a place by driving, while hit back means to respond to an attack or criticism.

Meanings and Definitions: drive back vs hit back

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Drive back

  • 1Repulse, force back.

    The police DROVE the crowd BACK to give the rescue workers more space.

Hit back

  • 1Attack or criticise.

    The president HIT BACK at her critics in a speech last night.

Usage Examples: drive back, hit back in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

drive back

Example

The soldiers drove back the enemy forces.

Example

The wind drives back the leaves in the fall.

hit back

Example

She hit back at her critics during the interview.

Example

He hits back at the negative comments on social media.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Drive back

return by car

To come back to a place by driving a car.

Example

After the party, we drove back home together.

make the trip back

To travel back to a place.

Example

We had a great time at the beach, but it's time to make the trip back to the city.

commute back

To travel regularly between one's home and workplace.

Example

He commutes back and forth from the suburbs to the city every day.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hit back

retaliate

To respond to an attack or criticism with force or aggression.

Example

After being insulted, he decided to retaliate and insulted back.

fight back

To resist or defend oneself against an attack or criticism.

Example

She was determined to fight back against the unfair treatment she received at work.

respond in kind

To respond to an action or behavior in a similar way.

Example

If they attack us, we will respond in kind and defend ourselves.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “drive”

Differences in drive back vs hit back: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: drive back or hit back?

In daily conversation, people use hit back more often than drive back. This is because hit back is used in a wider range of situations, such as in sports, politics, and personal relationships. Drive back is more specific and only used when referring to returning to a place by car.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of drive back and hit back

Drive back and hit back are both informal phrases suitable for casual conversations. However, hit back can also be used in more formal settings like debates or discussions.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of drive back and hit back

The tone of drive back and hit back can differ based on context. Drive back usually has a neutral or practical tone, while hit back can have a defensive or confrontational tone.

drive back & hit back: Synonyms and Antonyms

Drive back

Synonyms

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