Definition
To respond to an attack with a similar or identical counter-attack (e.g. to respond to gunfire with reciprocal gunfire).
Origins
Either from the practice of starting back fires to prevent the uncontrolled spread of wildfires, or from gunfire which is fought by firing back at the enemy.
In Context
- "Close enough but not too far / Maybe you know where you are / Fightin' fire with fire"
- "Fight fire with fire"
- "The Democratic Party’s organizers have found plenty of voters who are eager for the chance to stand against the president and, in Newsom’s words, “fight fire with fire” in the gerrymandering wars."
See Also
- bring a knife to a gunfight
- eye for an eye
- set a thief to catch a thief
- take a hair of the dog that bit one
- use a sledgehammer to crack a nut