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work back

B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To figure something out by starting at the end and going backwards.

Literal meaning: To work in a backwards direction — transparent.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To plan or calculate by starting from a fixed end point and working towards the beginning in reverse order.

"If the launch is on the 1st, let's work back and figure out when each stage needs to be completed."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral

To reconstruct a sequence of events by reasoning backwards from what is known.

"The investigators worked back from the time of death to establish when the victim had last been seen."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Common in planning, project management, and mathematical contexts. Often used with 'from' ('work back from the deadline'). Also used in investigative contexts when trying to reconstruct a sequence of events.

Commonly used with

deadline date goal target end point result timeline

Forms

Base
work back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
works back
he/she/it
Past simple
worked back
yesterday
Past participle
worked back
have + pp
-ing form
working back
continuous

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