back-chat

A child gives back-chat to his mother when asked to tidy his room.

Definition

1. Noun (uncountable):
   • Impertinent or cheeky reply: "back-chat" refers to a rude or disrespectful response, especially given by a subordinate or younger person to an authority figure, such as a parent, teacher, or employer. It implies a verbal retort that is defiant or insolent in tone.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The teacher warned the student to stop the back-chat and simply follow instructions. (The student was being rude and disrespectful in his replies.)
  • I don't want any back-chat from you, young man—just do as you're told. (The speaker is demanding obedience without argument or cheeky remarks.)
  • Her constant back-chat at work got her into trouble with the manager. (Her habit of giving impertinent answers to her boss caused problems.)

Advanced Usage

• "to give back-chat": to respond in a rude or cheeky manner.
  • The child was punished for giving back-chat to his grandmother. (He answered her disrespectfully.)
• "to take no back-chat": to refuse to tolerate any disrespectful replies.
  • The sergeant said he would take no back-chat from the new recruits. (He insisted on absolute obedience without insolence.)

Variants and Related Words

• Back-chat (noun) is sometimes written as backchat (one word) in informal British English, with the same meaning.
  • The teenager's backchat was met with a stern warning. (His cheeky comments were reprimanded.)
• Chat (noun/verb): informal conversation; unrelated to the impertinent sense of "back-chat."
• Cheek (noun): insolence or impertinence, often used similarly.
  • She had the cheek to argue with the referee. (She was impertinent enough to argue.)

Synonyms

• Sass (noun/verb, informal): impertinent or disrespectful talk.
  • Don't give me any sass. (Don't be cheeky.)
• Lip (noun, informal): back-chat; insolent speech.
  • I won't take any lip from you. (I won't tolerate rude replies.)
• Insolence (noun): rude and disrespectful behaviour or speech.
• Impertinence (noun): lack of proper respect; rudeness.

Related Idioms

• "to have a smart mouth": to be prone to giving impertinent or clever retorts.
  • He's a good kid, but he has a smart mouth and often gets into trouble for back-chat. (He is prone to cheeky replies.)
• "to talk back": to reply rudely or defiantly to an authority figure.
  • She was grounded for talking back to her mother. (She gave back-chat.)
• "to answer back": to respond in a disrespectful manner.
  • The employee was fired for answering back to the supervisor. (He gave impertinent replies.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Talk back (to someone): to reply rudely or defiantly.
  • The student was sent out of class for talking back to the teacher. (He gave back-chat.)
• Answer back: to respond impertinently.
  • The child was told not to answer back when being scolded. (He should not give back-chat.)