take back

To return something you bought to the shop, usually to get your money back.

• I will take these shoes back.
• She took the broken radio back to the store.
• Can you take it back without a receipt?

How to use it: take something back to somewhere (I took the faulty kettle back to the shop.)

Similar words: return

Common phrases: take back something, take something back, take back shoes

To say that something you said earlier was wrong or that you no longer mean it.

• I take back what I said.
• She took back her unfair criticism.
• Will you take that insult back?

How to use it: take back what + clause (I take back what I said about your cooking.)

Similar words: retract, withdraw

Common phrases: take back something, take something back, take back words

To make someone remember an earlier time or experience.

• This song takes me back.
• The photograph took her back to her school days.
• Does this place take you back to your childhood?

How to use it: take someone back to something (That smell takes me back to my childhood.)

Similar words: remind, bring back memories

Common phrases: take someone back, take back someone

To accept a former partner again and restart your relationship with them.

• She agreed to take him back.
• He begged his wife to take him back.
• Would you take back a partner who cheated?

How to use it: take someone back (She refused to take him back after he lied again.)

Similar words: get back together with

Common phrases: take someone back, take back someone

To get something back that you previously owned, gave away, or lost.

• He took back the ring.
• The army took back the town from the enemy.
• Can I take my book back now?

How to use it: take something back from someone (She took her keys back from her brother.)

Similar words: reclaim, recover, retrieve

Opposites: give away

Common phrases: take back something, take something back, take back control

To make a word, symbol, or tradition your own again, especially after others used it against you.

• The community took back the insulting word.
• Artists are taking back symbols once used against their people.
• They want to take back their language and celebrate it.

How to use it: take something back from someone (The community took the symbol back from those who had misused it.)

Similar words: reclaim, reappropriate

Common phrases: take back something, take back words, take something back