tit for tat. Noun

1. (idiomatic) ; equivalent retribution, an eye for an eye, returning exactly what you get.

For example, If you hit me, I'll hit you back; tit for tat.

2. (Cockney rhyming slang) ; hat.

tit for tat. Adjective

1. Having the characteristic of returning bad for bad.

For example, Unfortunately, many adults retain a tit-for-tat attitude, but in a more refined way than the simple, childish shove for shove.