go back

British  

verb

1. to return

2. (often foll by to) to originate (in)

   the links with France go back to the Norman Conquest

3. (foll by on) to change one's mind about; repudiate (esp in the phrase go back on one's word )

4. (of clocks and watches) to be set to an earlier time, as during British Summer Time

   when do the clocks go back this year?

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go back Idioms  

1. Return, retrace one's steps; also, return to a former condition. For example, I'm going back to the haunts of my youth , or We want to go back to the old way of doing things . [First half of 1500s]

2. Extend backward in space or time, as in Our land goes back to the stone wall , or The family name goes back to Norman times . [Second half of 1600s] Also see go back on .

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Example Sentences

“If we go back, we’d have to rebuild everything,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

“Instead of adulting, we can go back to being a kid for a very short amount of time through our food,” Moss says.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

"If he could go back in time he would change the way he behaved," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

“Everyone’s going to give everything and we’ve got to win that one. And then hopefully go back to Denver.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Or worse, he’d have to go back to the Garners?

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

• renege