take back
Return something to a shop or person; say you didn't mean what you said; or remind someone of the past
Meanings
To return something to the place or person it came from, especially to a shop after buying it
"The shirt didn't fit, so she took it back to the shop and got a refund."
To retract or withdraw something you said, admitting it was wrong or untrue
"That was an unfair thing to say and I take it back completely."
To cause someone to remember or feel nostalgic about a time in the past
"Hearing that song really takes me back to my university days."
To regain possession of something that was taken or lost
"The army launched an offensive to take back the territory lost earlier in the year."
A highly versatile phrasal verb. The 'retract' sense ('I take that back') is very common in conversation and arguments. The 'return to shop' sense is practical and everyday. The nostalgic sense ('this song takes me back') is evocative and commonly used.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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