Others (Back): English Vocabulary List

to have origins or existence that extends to a specific earlier time

"The ruins date back centuries."

"The ancient ruins date back to the time of the Roman Empire over two thousand years ago."

to rely on something or ask someone for help, particularly in situations where other options have failed

"Fall back on your friend."

"When all other avenues for funding were exhausted, the charity had to fall back on its emergency reserve."

to fail to do as one promised or agreed

"Don't go back on."

"It would be a serious breach of trust if the politician were to go back on his campaign promises."

to ask someone to return for another visit or event after they have been there before

"Invite him back for another interview."

"The manager was so impressed with the candidate that he invited her back for a second interview with the director."

to listen to or watch something again after recording it

"Play back the recorded message."

"The detective played back the security footage to see if it had captured the thief's face clearly."

to reinvest profits into a business to improve or expand it

"Plough back the profits into the business."

"The company ploughed back its profits into research and development instead of paying dividends to the shareholders."

to relax and make oneself comfortable in a sitting position

"Sit back and enjoy."

"After a long day of work, he decided to sit back in his armchair and read a good book."

to secure something, particularly hair, so that it remains in a fixed position and does not hang down

"Tie back your long hair."

"She used a ribbon to tie back her long hair so that it would not fall into her face while she was cooking."

to regain something that was previously lost

"He tried to win back her trust."

"The singer tried to win back his fans by releasing an apology song after the scandal damaged his reputation."

to drink quickly or consume a beverage in a rapid or forceful manner

"He knocked back his drink quickly."

"He knocked back his glass of water in one go because he was very thirsty after the long run."

to drink a beverage quickly, often in a casual or informal manner

"He tossed back his whiskey quickly."

"He sat at the bar and proceeded to toss back several shots of whiskey very quickly."

to review something in order to ensure accuracy or comprehension

"Go back over the text."

"Before submitting the report, the editor asked the writer to go back over the entire document for any errors."

to review the words one has previously written, often to check their accuracy

"Read back the letter."

"The customer service representative asked me to read back my account number to ensure she had entered it correctly."

to think about events or experiences from the past

"Think back to school."

"When she thinks back to her university days, she remembers the late-night study sessions and the strong friendships formed."

to decrease something in number, extent, or size

"The company scaled back production."

"The company had to scale back its expansion plans after the economy took a downturn and sales dropped significantly."

to take a position in the rear, especially in a military formation, for strategic purposes

"The soldier dropped back."

"The cavalry was ordered to drop back behind the main infantry line to provide defensive support."

to move back, often from a challenging situation or conflict

"The army fell back from the front lines."

"The army was forced to fall back when the enemy launched a surprise attack."

to position oneself at a distance from an object or person

"Stand back from the edge please."

"The firefighters told the crowd to stand back from the burning building."

to manage to reach the same level of fame or success one had before

"Come back in style."

"After a period of obscurity, the once-famous actress is hoping to come back in the industry with a new film."

to fully recover from an illness or injury

"Spring back from illness."

"With proper rest and rehabilitation, the athlete is expected to spring back to full fitness within a few months."

to resist or defend oneself against an attack or challenge, often by taking action to counter the aggression or difficulty

"Fight back against injustice."

"The victim of the attack bravely tried to fight back against his assailant despite being smaller in size."

to respond to an attack or criticism

"She hits back at her critics."

"The politician hit back at his critics during the press conference calling their accusations completely false and unfair."

to make a counterattack, often responding with similar force or action, especially in response to harm or wrongdoing

"The boxer strikes back fiercely."

"After the cyberattack the company decided to strike back by launching its own counterattack against the hackers."

to refer to something that occurred or was mentioned in the past

"Let's go back to that."

"Before we proceed, let's go back to the previous point to ensure everyone is in agreement."

to delay leaving or staying in a place after everyone else has departed

"They will hang back."

"Even after the party ended, a few guests decided to hang back, enjoying the quiet conversation."

to pass a legal case or issue to another committee, authority, or court for further examination or decision

"Send back the petition."

"The committee decided to send back the controversial bill to the subcommittee for further deliberation."

to regain the possession of a thing or person

"Take back the stolen item."

"I need to take back this faulty appliance to the store for a full refund or an exchange."

to think about or consider past events, experiences, or decisions

"Let's look back now."

"Looking back on her career, she felt a sense of accomplishment despite the early struggles."

to decrease something such as size or cost, to make it more efficient, economical, or manageable

"Cut back on sugar for health."

"The doctor advised him to cut back on salt and fatty foods to lower his blood pressure and cholesterol levels."

to decide against doing something that was expected or planned due to fearing the possible dangers or risks

"He will draw back in fear."

"Seeing the approaching danger, the cautious hiker decided to draw back from the unstable cliff edge."

to suddenly move backward due to a strong impact or force

"Kick back from impact."

"After a long week at work he likes to kick back and watch a movie."

to regain health after an illness or become successful again after facing difficulties

"The economy bounces back after a recession."

"The team managed to bounce back from their early season losses and win the championship at the end of the year."

to seek revenge on someone for something they did

"I will pay back them."

"She felt it was her duty to pay back the insult that had been directed at her family."