Do not get us wrong, staying calm is powerful. But calm does not mean letting people get comfortable being disrespectful toward you. Boundaries make sure composure never turns into tolerance. That is why we put together a few clapback lines for when someone is out of line, so you can set your boundary and keep it.

And let’s be real, disrespect rarely shows up when we are prepared. It happens fast. You miss it. You keep it moving. Then later you replay the moment and the perfect response appears in your notes app at 2 AM.

So let us make life easier. Keep these lines for when you need them.

A few calm, classy clapback lines:

“What do you mean by that?”
“Can you explain what you meant by that?”
“That is an interesting thing to say out loud. What did you mean by that?”
“I’m not comfortable with how that was said.”
“That does not work for me.”
“Please do not speak to me like that.”
“Let’s keep it respectful.”
“We can continue when the tone is better.”
“If this continues, I’m stepping away.”

Bonus, in the words of our editor in chief, “ine like it.”

Let us know your go to line when you need to set a boundary.