water back
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of water back
An Americanism dating back to 1860–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That would be like the captain of the Titanic trying to save the ship by drilling more holes in the bottom, in the hope that they would let the water back out.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 9, 2026
But he knew they were in trouble when he tried to hose down their plants and the wind blew the water back into his face.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2025
That’s why the city decided to put non-potable water back into residents’ homes rather than waiting until the water was safe to drink.
From Slate • Nov. 2, 2024
In theory, one of Northern Ireland Water's 1,124 wastewater treatment works will treat any discharges coming from homes and businesses, before pumping the newly cleaned water back into rivers or the sea.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2024
He threw it over the side and pulled half a bucket of sea water back to the cockpit.
From "The Voyage Of The Frog" by Gary Paulsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
