go back
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle back
Meanings
Return to a place
Why “back”? A person, thing, message, or idea returns to an earlier place, person, or time.
“I want to go back home.”
“We went back to the hotel.”
“I had to go back for my keys.”
(of a friendship or history)date from a particular time
“We go back twenty years.”
“Those two go back to primary school.”
Withdraw from a promise or agreement
Why “back”? Back creates distance or reduces progress. The change can affect a place, position, amount, promise, or plan.
“He went back on his word.”
“The landlord went back on the deal.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“I want to go back home.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
go away
A contrast learners often mix up
Leave a place or person; Travel somewhere for a holiday or break
go over
A contrast learners often mix up
Move from this side to the other; Examine or review something carefully; Be received in a particular way by an audience; Move to visit someone's house; Change to a different side, system or position; Use more time or money than a limit
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
cut back
Same back pattern: distance
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
die back
Same back pattern: distance
(of a plant) lose leaves and branches above ground while the roots survive
draw back
Same back pattern: distance
Move yourself away in hesitation
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