1 B1 neutral
Of a physical object: to move back to its original position in a swinging arc.
"The heavy gate swung back and hit him as he walked through."
inseparable
swing back
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move back to a previous position in an arc, or to return to a previous state, especially in politics or public opinion.
In plain English
To move back the other way like a pendulum, or for something (like an election result or fashion) to go back to how it was before.
What does "swing back" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
Of public opinion, voting trends, or moods: to reverse direction and return toward a previous position.
"After two years of decline, voter support began to swing back towards the governing party."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To swing (rotate in an arc) back to a previous position, like a pendulum returning.
Actually means
To move back the other way like a pendulum, or for something (like an election result or fashion) to go back to how it was before.
Usage tip
Very commonly used in political journalism to describe opinion polls or election results reversing. Also used in physical descriptions of doors, pendulums, and moving objects. The 'pendulum' metaphor is explicit in much political writing.
Words that pair with "swing back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pendulum opinion vote polls door mood
How to conjugate "swing back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
swing back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
swings back
he/she/it
Past simple
swinged back
yesterday
Past participle
swinged back
have + pp
-ing form
swinging back
continuous
Hear "swing back" in the wild
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