1 A2 neutral
To return a product, letter, or item to its point of origin, typically because it is defective, unwanted, or incorrect.
"The dress didn't fit, so she sent it back and asked for a refund."
separable
send back
A2 neutral separable transitive
To return something to where it came from, or to order someone to go back to where they were.
In plain English
To return something to the person or place it came from.
What does "send back" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To order a person to return to a previous location.
"The general sent the troops back to base after the mission was completed."
separable
3 A2 neutral
In a restaurant: to return food to the kitchen because it is unsatisfactory.
"I had to send the steak back because it was completely raw in the middle."
separable
Usage tip
Commonly used in retail contexts (sending defective items back) and restaurant settings (sending a dish back to the kitchen). Also used in political contexts regarding deportation or repatriation.
Words that pair with "send back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
package order item food dish troops
How to conjugate "send back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
send back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sends back
he/she/it
Past simple
sent back
yesterday
Past participle
sent back
have + pp
-ing form
sending back
continuous
Hear "send back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "send back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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