gain back

USAGE SUMMARY

"gain back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express regaining something that you previously had or lost. For example, “I worked hard to gain back my confidence after I failed the test.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'd lose 20 pounds, then gain back 30".

The New York Times - Health

It will take a while to gain back trust again".

The Guardian

"It is our responsibility to gain back the people's trust".

The New York Times

It starts to gain back those jobs in January.

The New York Times

"My main ambition," he said to me ruefully, "is to gain back some of the magic".

Independent

If anything, Republicans could now gain back some of their numbers.

The New York Times

"The insurgents are trying to gain back the power they lost," Mr. Aifan said.

The New York Times

"We're going to have to fight real hard to gain back our reputation as an industry.

The New York Times

It promptly plummeted 293 points, only to gain back 261 points a day later.

The New York Times

After about five years, 41percentt of dieters gain back more weight than they lost.

The New York Times

I am at war to gain back control of the American narrative".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gain back" when referring to the recovery of something that was lost or diminished, whether tangible or intangible, such as weight, trust, or market share.

Common error

Avoid using "gain back" when referring to something being acquired for the first time. "Gain back" implies a prior possession that was subsequently lost.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "gain back" functions primarily as a verb of recovery or restoration. It describes the action of retrieving something previously lost, such as strength, trust, or territory. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "gain back" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression signifying the recovery of something previously lost. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, with applications spanning from regaining trust to recovering physical strength. While alternatives like "regain" or "recover" exist, "gain back" offers a straightforward and widely understood way to convey the idea of retrieval or restoration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regain

Highlights the act of getting something again, often after a period of absence or loss.

get back

A more informal way of saying to recover or regain something.

recover

Implies a complete return to a former state or possession, focusing on the act of getting something back.

win back

Suggests regaining something, like trust or a competition, through effort or persuasion.

recoup

Often used in financial contexts, suggesting the recovery of losses or investments.

restore

Implies returning something to its original condition or former glory.

reclaim

Emphasizes asserting a right or claim to something that was previously lost or taken away.

take back

To assume or resume control, ownership, or possession.

retrieve

Focuses on the process of finding and bringing something back, often implying effort or difficulty.

bring back

To cause to remember or think about something from the past.

FAQs

What does "gain back" mean?

The phrase "gain back" means to recover something that was previously lost or taken away. This could refer to physical objects, abstract concepts like trust, or even something like weight after dieting.

How can I use "gain back" in a sentence?

You can use "gain back" in various contexts. For example, "After the scandal, the company worked hard to "regain" the public's trust" or "He's been exercising to "recover" his strength after the illness".

What's a good alternative to "gain back"?

Alternatives to "gain back" include "recover", "regain", "recoup", or "win back depending on the specific context".

Is it correct to say "gain back again"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "gain back again" is redundant. The phrase "gain back" already implies a return to a previous state. Using just "gain back" is more concise and clearer.