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

The two did a nice job portraying teenagers who go back and forth from sincere to ridiculously immature, but the best part was their horror when Jost fired back.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Given near-zero maintenance, always waking up to a fully “gassed up” vehicle and a superior driving experience, they don’t want to go back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

To find the last time Spurs were in the relegation zone past the midway point of a campaign, you have to go back to February 1998 - when they sat 18th after 24 games.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

While it’s certainly possible, I go back to the cognitive dissonance thing.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

I wanted to go back to the strand to hide.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

Related Words

• renege