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If the boys at school are still bothering you, you shouldn't be afraid to hit back.

Is this natural to say? And does "hit back" mean to literally hit someone who has just hit you or just to fight back?

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  • "fight back" also literally means to hit someone who has just hit you.
    – James K
    Commented Feb 19, 2022 at 9:05

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It's used both literally and metaphorically. Sometimes, it can be a mix of both.

In the example you provided, it's a mix, but probably more on the literal side, since it's implied there may actually be physical altercations occurring.

The sentence does sound natural to me.

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  • I'd say it's more on the metaphorical side.
    – James K
    Commented Feb 19, 2022 at 9:04

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