take back
2 meanings
get something back that was yours before
What does "take back" mean in this sense?
Examples
- The general's mission was to take back the city from rebel forces.
- After losing the championship, she trained for a year to take it back.
- The opposition party promised voters they would take back control of the economy.
How to use it
The most common structure: the subject acts to reclaim something concrete or abstract from an opposing force.
The team played brilliantly in the final to take back the championship.
When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'take' and 'back' — it cannot come after 'back'.
They had lost control of the company, but the founders were determined to take it back.
Used with verbs like 'want', 'try', 'plan', or 'manage' to describe an intention or attempt to reclaim something.
The opposition party is planning to take back the Senate in the next election.
The passive is natural in political, military, or sports contexts where the focus is on what was reclaimed rather than who did it.
The coastal territory was taken back by government forces after a prolonged campaign.
A clause starting with 'what' can serve as the object when referring to something previously held in a more general way.
After years of decline, the brand fought hard to take back what it had lost in the market.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'take' and 'back'. Placing the pronoun after 'back' is incorrect.
When 'take back' means to regain possession, the object should be something like a place, title, or power — not words or statements. If the object is 'what I said', 'the comment', or 'my apology', that signals a completely different meaning (to retract something).
Adding a phrase like 'to the shop' or 'to the office' after 'take back' shifts the meaning to returning an item somewhere. In the regain sense, no destination phrase is used.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English. It is especially common in political speeches and news reports, where it can carry strong rhetorical weight, so be aware it may sound politically charged in certain contexts.
admit that something you said was wrong
Sense 2: What does "take sth back" mean?
Examples
- That was a horrible thing to say — take it back right now!
- She refused to take back the accusation, even when she knew it wasn't true.
- I said he was dishonest, but I take that back — I was wrong about him.
How to use it
When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'take' and 'back' — this is the most common form of this phrasal verb.
That was really unfair — take it back!
With noun objects like 'those words', 'that comment', or 'that accusation', separating the verb is natural and usually preferred.
He finally took that accusation back after he realised he had made a mistake.
Use a 'what'-clause to refer to something said in more general terms, without naming a specific word or comment.
She never took back what she said about him, even after everyone told her she was wrong.
Modal and verb constructions before 'take back' are very common, especially to describe someone's refusal or a demand from another person.
My friend demanded I take back the comment I made in front of everyone.
Use this pattern mid-speech to correct yourself and withdraw something you just said.
This is the easiest course I've taken — actually, I take that back, the homework is really hard.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
When using a pronoun like 'it' or 'that', you must place it between 'take' and 'back'. Putting it after 'back' is incorrect.
In this sense, the object must always be something said or expressed — a comment, an accusation, those words, etc. If you use a physical object or a person, you are using a different meaning of 'take back'.
It sounds unnatural to say you are 'taking something back' as an ongoing action. Use the simple present, past, or imperative instead.
Usage
This phrasal verb is common in spoken English, especially in arguments or emotional moments. In formal writing, 'retract' or 'withdraw' are more appropriate. 'I take that back' is also used naturally mid-conversation to correct yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'take back' always mean something political? I see it in news headlines a lot.
Not at all — it's widely used in sports, business, and military contexts too. However, collocations like 'take back control' and 'take back the country' became closely associated with political and populist rhetoric (especially around Brexit), so they can sound ideologically charged in certain discussions. In a sports or business context, the phrase is completely neutral.
Does 'take back' in this sense always mean the subject previously owned the thing?
Yes — that's central to this meaning. The 'back' signals that something is being returned to a prior state of possession. A team takes back a title they once held; a government takes back territory it once controlled. If there's no prior ownership implied, a different verb like 'seize' or 'capture' would be more appropriate.
Can I use 'take back' in the passive in formal writing?
Yes, the passive is perfectly natural with this sense and is common in journalism and formal reporting. Sentences like 'The seat was taken back by the incumbent party' or 'Lost ground was gradually taken back' appear regularly in written English.
What's the difference between 'take back' and 'reclaim' in this meaning?
'Reclaim' is the more formal, neutral option and often appears in official or legal contexts. 'Take back' carries a stronger sense of effort, struggle, or contest against an opposing force, which is why it's popular in speeches, rallying rhetoric, and dramatic reporting. Both are correct, but the tone differs.
Can 'take back' be used without an object in this sense?
No — in this sense, an object is always required. You need to specify what is being reclaimed, whether that's 'the title', 'control', 'territory', or something similar. Unlike some phrasal verbs, 'take back' in this meaning cannot stand alone without saying what was taken back.
Can I use 'take back' in formal writing?
It's better to avoid it in formal writing, such as academic essays or official letters. In those situations, 'retract' or 'withdraw' sound more appropriate. 'Take back' is most at home in spoken English and informal written contexts like messages or social media.
Does 'take back' always mean there was an argument?
Not always. It is very common in arguments, but it is also used as a casual self-correction mid-conversation. If you say something and then immediately change your mind, you can say 'I take that back' — no argument needed.
Can 'take back' be used in the passive, like 'the comment was taken back'?
This is very rare and usually sounds unnatural. It is much more normal to use the active form — for example, 'She took back the comment' rather than 'The comment was taken back by her'.
What kinds of things can be the object of 'take back' in this sense?
The object should always be something that was said or written — for example, a comment, an accusation, a remark, a claim, those words, or a statement. You can also use pronouns like 'it' or 'that' to refer to what was said. Never use a physical object as the object for this meaning.
Is 'Take it back!' used only by children?
It is especially associated with emotional or childlike confrontations, but adults use it too — particularly in heated or informal arguments. The imperative form carries a strong emotional tone, which is why it can sound a little dramatic in calmer situations.
Ready to practise?
Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.
Start Practising →