get back
phrasal verb·5 senses·particle back
Meanings
Return to a place
Why “back”? You go back to where you started.
“I got back home at midnight.”
“We got back to camp before dark.”
“We won't get back until late.”
Take revenge on someone
Why “back”? The action returns to the person who did it first.
“She'll get back at him eventually.”
“He got back at the bully with a prank.”
“She got back at her sister by hiding her keys.”
Arrive home or return
“When did you get back from Tokyo?”
“Dad got back from Madrid on Friday.”
Reply to someone, often with information they asked for
“I need to check and get back to you.”
“I'll get back to you about the price.”
Take revenge on someone
“She wanted to get back at him.”
“He got back at his rival by reporting the trick.”
“She will get back at them later.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“I got back home at midnight.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
get away
A contrast learners often mix up
Escape from a place or situation; Go on a short holiday; Avoid being caught or punished for something
get over
A contrast learners often mix up
Recover from an illness or upset; Overcome a difficulty; Cross to the other side of an obstacle; Manage to finish something difficult
answer back
Same back pattern: returning action
Reply in a defiant manner
bring back
Same back pattern: return
Return with someone or something to the original place; Cause memories to return to the mind; Reintroduce a custom, law or product
call back
Same back pattern: return
Return a phone call; Try the phone call again; Recall a product because of a fault
come back
Same back pattern: return
Return to a place; Become popular or fashionable again; Be remembered after being forgotten
fight back
Same back pattern: returning action
Defend yourself against an attack; Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
fly back
Same back pattern: return
Return by air
Practice “get back” in Sink In
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