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claw back

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To get back something you had before, but it's really hard to do.

Literal meaning: To drag something back toward oneself using claws — suggesting a fierce, difficult retrieval.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To recover money, especially through taxation, legal means, or formal policy.

"The government plans to claw back billions in unpaid taxes from offshore accounts."

"The Treasury is expected to claw back the bonuses paid to executives at bailed-out banks."

— The Guardian, financial reporting, circa 2009–2012
Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To regain a lost advantage, position, or lead, especially in sports or competition.

"Down by three goals, the home side clawed back two before the final whistle."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

To gradually regain something lost — respect, market share, credibility — through sustained effort.

"After the scandal, she spent years trying to claw back her reputation."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very common in financial and political journalism. A 'clawback' (noun) is a formal recovery of funds or bonuses, often used in employment contracts and tax law. The figurative sports sense (recovering a deficit) is also very common.

Commonly used with

money losses points market share bonus lead costs

Forms

Base
claw back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
claws back
he/she/it
Past simple
clawed back
yesterday
Past participle
clawed back
have + pp
-ing form
clawing back
continuous

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