send back

return something to the place it came from (a product, food in a restaurant)

B1

What does "send sth back" mean?

To send something back means to return it to the place it came from, usually because there is a problem with it. This phrasal verb appears most often in two situations: returning a product you bought online (because it is faulty, the wrong size, or not as described), and asking a waiter to take food back to the kitchen (because it is undercooked, cold, or not what you ordered). The phrase strongly suggests that something is wrong or unsatisfactory — you rarely send something back if you are happy with it. It is a neutral, everyday expression that works equally well in conversation, emails to customer services, and written return policies.

Examples

How to use it

send back + object

The most basic pattern, used when the object is a noun phrase. This is especially natural with longer noun phrases.

I decided to send back the jacket because the zip was broken.

send + pronoun + back

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'send' and 'back' — never after 'back'.

The shoes were the wrong size, so I sent them back the same week.

send + object + back

With short noun phrases, placing the object between the verb and particle is very common and often sounds more natural.

The waiter could see the pasta was cold, so she sent the dish back to the kitchen.

object + be sent back

The passive form is natural when you want to focus on the item being returned rather than who returned it.

The damaged parcel was sent back to the supplier straight away.

send back + object + for + reason/outcome

Adding 'for' after the object explains the purpose of the return, such as getting a refund or replacement.

You can send back any unwanted item for a full refund within 28 days.

Common Collocations

faulty productwrong orderdamaged itemthe mealonline purchasethe parcel

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun ('it', 'them'), it must go between 'send' and 'back'. Putting it after 'back' is ungrammatical in English.

✗ I wasn't happy with the order, so I sent back it.
✓ I wasn't happy with the order, so I sent it back.
Confusing 'send back' with 'take back'

'Take back' means you personally carry something to a shop or person yourself. 'Send back' means you post it, arrange a courier, or ask someone (like a waiter) to return it — you don't physically take it there yourself.

✗ I took the parcel back by posting it to the company.
✓ I sent the parcel back to the company.
Using the present continuous unnecessarily

Saying 'I am sending it back' sounds strange unless you are describing an ongoing process of making returns. For a single return, use the simple past, present perfect, or future form instead.

✗ I am sending it back because it was faulty. (as a simple statement about a completed action)
✓ I sent it back because it was faulty. / I'm going to send it back because it's faulty.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and used in both spoken and written English. In restaurants, 'send it back' specifically means asking for food to be returned to the kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'send back' always mean there is something wrong?

Almost always, yes. In most contexts, sending something back implies you are unhappy with it — it arrived damaged, it was the wrong item, or the food was not cooked properly. It is less common to use 'send back' for items you simply changed your mind about, though it is not incorrect.

Can I use 'send back' in a restaurant, even though food isn't posted anywhere?

Yes! In a restaurant, 'send it back' is a fixed, very natural phrase meaning you ask the waiter to return your food to the kitchen. The word 'send' here simply means 'have it taken back', not that you are posting it. 'I had to send the soup back — it was stone cold' is perfectly natural.

Can 'send back' be used in passive sentences?

Yes, the passive works very naturally with 'send back', especially in retail or customer service contexts. For example: 'All faulty goods must be sent back within 14 days.' The passive is useful when it is not important who is doing the returning.

Does 'send back' have other meanings I should know about?

Yes — 'send back' can also refer to a person being returned to their home country, which is a completely separate meaning. This page covers only the sense of returning a product or food. If you see 'send back' in a news article about immigration, it is a different usage.

What kinds of things can you 'send back'?

The most common objects are physical items you bought: a faulty product, a damaged parcel, the wrong order, a pair of shoes, or an unwanted gift. In a restaurant, the typical objects are the meal, the steak, the dish, or simply 'it'. You would not normally use 'send back' with things that cannot be physically returned, like a service or a piece of advice.

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