put back

To return something to the place where it was before.

• Put the book back, please.
• She put her keys back in the drawer.
• Have you put everything back on the shelf?

How to use it: put something back (Please put the scissors back.); put something back in/on something (Put the milk back in the fridge.)

Similar words: replace, return

Common phrases: put back something, put back the book

To change a clock so that it shows an earlier time.

• Put the clocks back tonight.
• I put my watch back an hour.
• Have you remembered to put the kitchen clock back?

How to use it: put a clock/the clocks back + time period (We put the clocks back one hour in autumn.)

Similar words: set back

Opposites: put forward

Common phrases: put back the clocks, put back a clock

To move an arranged event to a later time or date.

• They put the meeting back.
• The wedding was put back until September.
• Can we put our appointment back by an hour?

How to use it: put something back to + time/date (They put the appointment back to Friday.); put something back by + period (We put the start back by half an hour.)

Similar words: postpone, delay, put off

Opposites: bring forward

Common phrases: put back something, put back the meeting

To drink alcohol quickly, often in large amounts.

• He put back two beers.
• She put her drink back and left the bar.
• How many shots did they put back?

How to use it: put something back (He put three beers back before dinner.)

Similar words: knock back, down

Common phrases: put back a beer, put back something

For a boat or ship, to turn around and return to an earlier place.

• The ship had to put back.
• We put back to port when the storm grew worse.
• The captain decided to put back into harbour.

How to use it: put back to/into + place (The ship put back to port after its engine failed.)

Similar words: turn back, return

Common phrases: put back to port, put back into harbour