bring back

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle back

Meanings

1

Return with someone or something to the original place

Why “back”? You go back to where you started.

Bring the book back tomorrow.
Return the book to me tomorrow.
Bring the ladder back before dark.
Return the ladder to me before dark.
2

Cause memories to return to the mind

Why “back”? Something returns to an earlier state.

That song brings back memories.
That song causes memories to return.
The old photo brought back memories.
The old photo caused memories to return.
The smell of bread brought back childhood mornings.
The smell of bread made childhood mornings return to mind.
3

Reintroduce a custom, law or product

They brought back the old uniform.
They reintroduced the old uniform.
The cafe brought back its soup menu.
The cafe reintroduced its soup menu.

Don't confuse with

bring backbring over

Bring back means return with someone or something to the original place. Bring over means carry someone or something to a place near where the speaker is.

Test yourself

Bring the book back tomorrow. What does it mean?

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