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win back

B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To get something back that you lost, usually by trying hard.

Literal meaning: To win something so that it comes back to you — fairly transparent.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To regain someone's love, trust, or loyalty after losing it.

"After the betrayal, it took him years to win back her trust."

"I'm going to win back the hearts and minds of the American people."

— George W. Bush, press conference, 2004 (widely reported)
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To recapture a title, position, seat, or competitive prize that was previously held.

"The team worked all season to win back the championship they lost the previous year."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 neutral

To recover customers, market share, or support for a business or organisation.

"The airline launched a major campaign to win back passengers after the safety scandal."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Common in both romantic contexts (winning back a partner) and competitive contexts (winning back a title, market share, or territory). The object almost always follows 'win back' or is placed between 'win' and 'back'.

Commonly used with

trust heart title customers support seat

Forms

Base
win back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wins back
he/she/it
Past simple
won back
yesterday
Past participle
won back
have + pp
-ing form
winning back
continuous

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