1. Home
2. Idioms
3. take back

take back

---

---

take something back

to retract a statement; to rescind one's remark. You had better take back what you said about my sister. I won't take what I said back! She's a twit!

See also: back, take

take something back (from someone)

to take possession of something that one had previously given away. I took my sweater back from Tim, since he never wore it. I took back my money from the child.

See also: back, take

take somebody back

also take back somebody

to start a relationship again Why on earth would you take him back when he's been such a rat? Mary took back her husband after he stopped drinking.

See also: back, take

take back something

also take something back

1. to say that something you said was wrong I take it back - this is a darn good car. She wanted to take back her words - it wasn't easy to learn Chinese.

2. to get control over something you controlled earlier Democrats hope to take back the House of Representatives in the next election. Once we give them up to the government, we will never be able to take those rights back.

See also: back, take

take you back (to something)

to cause you to remember That song takes me back to my miserable adolescence.

See also: back, take

take back

1. Retract a statement, as in I said you weren't much of a cook but after that dinner I take it all back. This usage was first recorded in 1775.

2. take one back. Return in thought to a past time, as in That music takes me back to the first dance I ever went to. [Late 1800s]

See also: back, take

take back

v.

1. To retrieve and regain possession of something: I had to take back my jacket from your closet because I need to wear it. I took my book back because I forgot that I had written some notes in the margins. The store won't take back clothing if it has been worn.

2. To return something to some location: I took the book back to the library. The toaster I bought didn't work, so I had to take it back.

3. To cause someone to return in thought to a past time: That old song sure takes me back. The smell of the ocean takes me back to our first trip to the beach.

4. To retract something stated, written, or done: What a terrible thing to say—I demand that you take it back. After your bad behavior, I take back all the nice things I said about you. I wish I could take back my embarrassing performance.

See also: back, take