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put back

A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To put something where it was before, or to change the time of something to later.

Literal meaning: To place something in the position it was in before.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To return something to the place it was taken from.

"Please put the book back on the shelf when you're done with it."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To reschedule something to a later time or date.

"The meeting has been put back to Thursday because the director is unavailable."

Grammar: separable
3 A2 neutral

To set a clock to an earlier time, especially at the end of daylight saving time.

"Don't forget to put the clocks back an hour this weekend."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The 'return to original position' sense is very common at A2. The 'reschedule' sense is common in British English (American English often uses 'push back' instead). Also used for setting clocks back in autumn.

Commonly used with

book meeting clock deadline item flight

Forms

Base
put back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts back
he/she/it
Past simple
put back
yesterday
Past participle
put back
have + pp
-ing form
putting back
continuous

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