take back — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

take back

return an item retract words evoke memories

Meaning 1 · most common

return an item

take sth back to somewhere

to bring something you bought or borrowed back to the place you got it from, usually because you don't want it or it doesn't work.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I had to take back the shoes because they were too small.

A: Did you keep the blender you bought?
B: No, I took it back. It was broken when I opened the box.

Common mistake

Not: I want to take ~~back it.~~

Say: I want to take it back.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'take it back'.

More on “return an item”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I buy something and it doesn't fit, I usually take it back to the store for a refund or exchange.

Tell it apart

I took the jacket back.

returned the item

I take back what I said.

retract words — sense

Goes with

take back + goods

Practice saying this

Next meaning: retract words

Meaning 2

retract words

take sth back

to admit that something you said was wrong or hurtful and say you no longer mean it.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

He realized he was wrong and took back what he said.

A: I can't believe you called me lazy!
B: I'm sorry, I take it back. I was just upset.

Common mistake

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'.

More on “retract words”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes people say things they regret, but it's important to take back your words and apologize if you hurt someone.

Tell it apart

I take it back.

withdraw what I said

I'll take it back to the shop.

return the item — sense

Goes with

take back + words

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Next meaning: evoke memories

Meaning 3

evoke memories

take sb back to [time/place)
informal

to cause someone to remember or feel as if they are in a time in the past, often because of a particular sight, sound, or smell.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

The smell of freshly baked bread always takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen.

A: Wow, this song really takes me back.
B: Yeah, it reminds me of our school days.

Common mistake

Not: This photo takes back me to school.

Say: This photo takes me back to school.

The person goes in the middle: 'takes me back'.

More on “evoke memories”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Hearing traditional music can take people back to their cultural roots and evoke a strong sense of identity.

Tell it apart

That song takes me back.

brings back memories

I take it back — I was wrong.

retract what I said — sense

Goes with

take back + memory

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return an item retract words evoke memories