go back

not do what you promised or agreed to do

B2

What does "go back on sth" mean?

To go back on something means to fail to keep a commitment you have already made — you said you would do something, but then you don't, or you deny that you ever agreed to it. It is most often used about promises, agreements, or someone's word. The focus is on the broken commitment: the key idea is that something was clearly agreed or stated, and then it was not honoured. You can use it about individuals, companies, or governments. For example, a politician who promised lower taxes and then raised them has gone back on their promise. The most fixed and common expression using this phrasal verb is 'go back on one's word', which is widely used in news reporting and everyday speech alike.

Examples

How to use it

go back on + noun (promise / word / deal / agreement)

The most common pattern — use a noun referring to the commitment that was broken directly after 'on'.

The council went back on its agreement to fund the new library.

go back on + one's word

'Go back on one's word' is a fixed idiomatic phrase meaning to break a personal commitment; the possessive changes to match the subject.

She had never gone back on her word before, so everyone was shocked.

go back on + what + clause

Use this pattern when referring to something said or agreed informally, without a specific noun like 'promise'.

He went back on what he had told us at the meeting.

go back on + it / them

When the commitment is already clear from context, a pronoun can replace the noun after 'on'.

They made the guarantee in writing — they can't go back on it now.

can't / couldn't go back on + noun

This structure is very common and expresses that breaking the commitment is not acceptable or not possible.

Once you've signed the contract, you can't go back on the deal.

Common Collocations

go back on a promisego back on your wordgo back on a dealgo back on an agreementgo back on a commitmentgo back on a pledge

Common Mistakes

Wrong preposition: 'to' instead of 'on'

Learners sometimes write 'go back to a promise', but this means to return to the topic of a promise, not to break it. Always use 'go back on' for this meaning.

✗ The company went back to its commitment after the new CEO arrived.
✓ The company went back on its commitment after the new CEO arrived.
Trying to separate the phrasal verb

'Go back on' is a fixed three-part unit and cannot be separated. The object must always follow directly after 'on'.

✗ She went back her promise on.
✓ She went back on her promise.
Confusing 'go back on' with 'back out of'

'Back out of' is used when someone withdraws before a commitment is finalised; 'go back on' means the commitment was already firmly made and is then broken or denied.

✗ They backed out of their promise after signing the contract.
✓ They went back on their promise after signing the contract.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both formal writing and everyday speech. 'Go back on one's word' is a fixed, idiomatic phrase especially common in news and political contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'go back on' in the passive, like 'the promise was gone back on'?

No — this phrasal verb doesn't work in the passive in natural English. The person or group who broke the commitment is always the subject of the sentence. Instead of a passive, just say who did it: 'The company went back on its promise' rather than trying to make 'promise' the subject.

Is 'he is going back on his word' correct?

It's grammatically possible but sounds quite awkward in most situations. 'Go back on' typically describes a completed or habitual action, so the simple past, present perfect, and present simple are far more natural. Use 'he went back on his word' or 'he has gone back on his word' in most cases.

What kinds of things can follow 'go back on'?

The most natural objects are words referring to commitments: 'promise', 'word', 'deal', 'agreement', 'pledge', 'commitment', and 'vow'. You can also use it with 'what you said' or 'what was agreed'. The phrase 'go back on one's word' is especially common and almost has the feel of a fixed expression.

Does 'go back on' always sound negative?

Yes — going back on a commitment is almost always presented as a bad thing. The phrase carries a judgement that someone has behaved dishonestly or unreliably. Even in neutral news reporting, 'went back on its promise' implies criticism of the person or organisation involved.

Can organisations or governments 'go back on' something, or is it only for individuals?

It works naturally for both. You'll often see it used about governments, political parties, and companies in news articles — for example, 'The government went back on its pledge to cut spending.' It is equally natural for individuals in everyday conversation.

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