There isn't a straight up solution. It's case by case.

Like sure, my high school bullies stopped after my brother found out their names and made sure they suffered consequences until they got the message (massively appreciate his intervention)

But I've seen other bullies be stood up to and it escalated massively from going back for more rounds, coming back with friends, there's been kids knifed on their way home from school.

It isnt ideal but yeah if your bully is the type you describe in your post, go for it, stand up and make them back down. But not every bully is like that . Some might want you to fight back, some might really mess you up