Akademik

take back
verb
1. bring back to the point of departure (Freq. 5)
• Syn: ↑return, ↑bring back
• Derivationally related forms: ↑return (for: ↑return)
• Hypernyms: ↑bring, ↑convey, ↑take
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s something

-

Somebody ——s something to somebody

-

Somebody ——s something PP

2. regain possession of something (Freq. 1)
• Syn: ↑repossess
• Derivationally related forms: ↑repossession (for: ↑repossess)
• Hypernyms: ↑take
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s something

3. resume a relationship with someone after an interruption, as in a wife taking back her husband
• Hypernyms: ↑relate
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s somebody

4. move text to the previous line; in printing
• Hypernyms: ↑move, ↑displace
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s something

5. take back what one has said
-

He swallowed his words

• Syn: ↑swallow, ↑unsay, ↑withdraw
• Derivationally related forms: ↑withdrawal (for: ↑withdraw)
• Hypernyms: ↑disown, ↑renounce, ↑repudiate
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s something

6. cause someone to remember the past
-

This photo takes me back to the good old days

• Hypernyms: ↑remind
• Verb Frames:
-

Something ——s somebody

-

Somebody ——s somebody PP

* * *

take back [phrasal verb]
1 take back (someone or something) or take (someone or something) back
1 a : to return (something or someone)

If you bought any of these toys, take them back to the store for a full refund.

Waiter, this soup is terrible. Please take it back. [=return it to the kitchen]

I took him back to his apartment.

1 b : to accept or receive (someone or something) again

They wouldn't take back the dress because I didn't have the receipt.

His wife left him but he decided to take her back.

2 take (someone) back : to cause (someone) to remember a time or event
— usually + to

This meal takes me back to [=it makes me remember] our vacation in Mexico.

a song that takes you back to your childhood

3 take back (something) or take (something) back : to say that you did not really mean (something that you said)

My mom is not fat! Take it back!

He refused to take back what he said.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑take

Useful english dictionary. 2012.