# fight fire with fire

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To respond to an attack with a similar or identical counter-attack (e.g. to respond to gunfire with reciprocal gunfire).

## Etymology
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.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/fight-fire-with-fire