If you take something back, you return it to the place where you bought it or where you borrowed it from, because it is unsuitable or broken, or because you have finished with it.
If I buy something and he doesn't like it, I'll take it back. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
I went to the library and took your books back. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
I once took back a pair of shoes that fell apart after a week. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
2. phrasal verb
If you take something back, you admit that something that you said or thought is wrong.
I take it back, I think perhaps I am an extrovert. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
Take back what you said about Jeremy! [VERBPARTICLE noun]
3. phrasal verb
If you take someone back, you allow them to come home again, after they have gone away because of a quarrel or other problem.
Why did she take him back? [VERB noun PARTICLE]
The government has agreed to take back some of the refugees. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
4. phrasal verb
If you say that something takes you back, you mean that it reminds you of a period of your past life and makes you think about it again.
I enjoyed experimenting with colours–it took me back to being five years old. [VERB noun PARTICLE + to]
This takes me back. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
More Synonyms of take back
See full dictionary entry for take
take back in British English
verb(adverb, mainly tr)
1.
to retract or withdraw (something said, written, promised, etc)
2.
to regain possession of
3.
to return for exchange
to take back a substandard garment
4.
to accept (someone) back (into one's home, affections, etc)
5.
to remind one of the past; cause one to reminisce
that tune really takes me back
6. (also intr) printing
to move (copy) to the previous line
take back in American English
1.
to regain use or possession of
2.
to retract (something said, promised, etc.)
3.
to return (something), as to be exchanged
See full dictionary entry for take
Examples of 'take back' in a sentence
take back
So we instead made a broader argument about taking back control.
The Sun (2016)
Without an official judgment of mental illness, he was allowed to take back his gun.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Luckily we had a spare in stock which we gave her to take back home to Sydney.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Which is why we need to stop dragging our heels on implementing Article 50 and get on with really taking back control.
The Sun (2016)
The USA are red-hot favourites to take back the cup after three successive defeats.
The Sun (2016)
We must not stop campaigning until we cross the line and take back control of our country.
The Sun (2016)
She is then taken back into hospital after a new growth is found on her kidney.
The Sun (2009)
We were so really taken back by it.
The Sun (2013)
It may take two or three years but they think they can take back the whole country.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Why give with one hand and take back with the other?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Chancellor is giving with one hand and taking back with the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Below are the best ones to take back to your desk.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But he changed his mind after being driven off by cops and asked to be taken back home.
The Sun (2016)
Everything is locked up and the strange young men who tidy up the trolleys have been taken back to their homes.
The Sun (2015)
Should he be taken back, especially after such apparent lack of remorse?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
After they were taken back, their food was restricted.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I feel that these people are being taken back to square one.
The Sun (2010)
I am afraid we are going to be taken back to prison again.
Hugh Lofting The Story of Doctor Dolittle (1920)
They say that the large offices they had laboriously acquired in a war of attrition against civil servants have been taken back by them again.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I'll give you a line to take back.
Duncan Hamilton Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years with Brian Clough (2007)
This is not about trying to take back control of the Conservative Party.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They want evidence that we really have taken back control... over the economy, human rights laws and immigration.
The Sun (2016)
In other languages
take back
British English: take back /teɪk bæk/ VERB
If you take something back, you return it.
I once took back a pair of shoes that fell apart after a week.
American English: take back
Arabic: يَرُدُّ
Brazilian Portuguese: devolver
Chinese: 拿回来
Croatian: vratiti
Czech: vrátit
Danish: tage tilbage
Dutch: terugnemen
European Spanish: devolver
Finnish: palauttaa sanansa
French: rendre
German: zurücknehmen
Greek: επιστρέφω
Italian: riportare
Japanese: 取り消す
Korean: 취소하다
Norwegian: ta tilbake
Polish: odebrać
European Portuguese: devolver
Romanian: a restitui
Russian: возвращать
Latin American Spanish: devolver
Swedish: ta tillbaka
Thai: นำไปคืน
Turkish: geri almak
Ukrainian: повертати
Vietnamese: lấy lại
Chinese translation of 'take back'
take back
vt
(= return)[goods]退回 (tuìhuí)
(= retract)[one's words]收回 (shōuhuí)
See take
All related terms of 'take back'
to take a back seat
( fig ) 把权(權)利让(讓)与(與)他人 bǎ quánlì ràngyǔ tārén
take up
( start : hobby, sport ) 开(開)始 kāishǐ
take to
( like ) 喜欢(歡)上 xǐhuan shang ⇒ I immediately took to Alan. → 我立刻喜欢上了艾伦。 Wǒ lìkè xǐhuan shang le Àilún.
take over
( business, country ) 接管 jiēguǎn
take out on
▶ to take one's anger/feelings out on sb 向某人发(發)泄(洩)怒气(氣)/情感 xiàng mǒurén fāxiè nùqì/qínggǎn
take out
( invite : person ) 邀请(請) yāoqǐng ⇒ He took her out for a meal. → 他邀请她出去吃饭。 Tā yāoqǐng tā chūqù chīfàn.
take on
( undertake : work, responsibility ) 承担(擔) chéngdān ⇒ Don't take on any more responsibilities. → 不要再承担更多的责任了。 Bùyào zài chéngdān gèng duō de zérèn le.
take off
( aircraft ) 起飞(飛) qǐfēi
take in
( deceive : person ) 蒙(矇)骗(騙) mēngpiàn ⇒ I wasn't going to be taken in by his charm. → 我不会被他的魅力所蒙骗。 Wǒ bùhuì bèi tā de mèilì suǒ mēngpiàn.