Meaning trap
take back
retract words
to admit that something you said was wrong or hurtful and say you no longer mean it.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to admit that something you said was wrong or hurtful and say you no longer mean it.
Another meaning of 'take back' is 'return an item'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He realized he was wrong and took back what he said.
Sometimes people say things they regret, but it's important to take back your words and apologize if you hurt someone.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I want to take back my words back.
Say: I take back what I said.
Don't double 'back'; with a pronoun, 'take it back'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Take it back' is the everyday way to withdraw something you said; 'retract my statement' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
take back + words
- what I said
- it
- every word
- that
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- take back (return an item) — Another meaning of 'take back' is 'return an item'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.