take back

USAGE SUMMARY

"take back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom that means to retract or revoke something that was said or done. For example, "The CEO had to take back his offer when it became clear the company couldn't afford to hire new staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Take back America, Speaker".

The New York Times

Take back the Wii.

Independent

I'll take back the night.

The New Yorker

I take back my request.

The New Yorker

It says, "Take Back Vermont.

The New Yorker

"Take Back the Sidewalk".

The New York Times

Let's take back control".

The Guardian

He didn't take back his endorsement.

The New York Times

I take back what I said before.

The New York Times

Take back the anti-Muslim bill.

The New York Times

coffers than they take back in loans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take back" in the context of an item, ensure clarity about what is being returned and why. For instance, "I had to take back the faulty television to the store because it wouldn't turn on."

Common error

Avoid using "take back" when you simply want to correct someone's grammar or provide feedback. "Take back" implies a more significant retraction or repossession, not just a minor correction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take back" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being retracted, regained, or returned. Ludwig AI shows that it's commonly used to express the reversal of a previous action or statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "take back" is a versatile expression that serves to retract, regain, or retrieve something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly featured in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. Though considered grammatically sound, choosing more formal alternatives like "retract" or "regain" enhances precision in scholarly discourse. The advice is to ensure your use of "take back" corresponds accurately to either a retrieval or retraction in the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Retract

Focuses specifically on withdrawing a statement or promise.

Withdraw

Similar to retract, but can also apply to removing oneself from a commitment.

Recant

Implies a formal retraction, often of a belief or opinion.

Revoke

Cancels or annuls something previously in effect, such as a law or permit.

Regain

Emphasizes the act of getting something back that was lost.

Reclaim

Similar to regain, but often suggests a struggle or effort to recover something.

Recover

Highlights the process of returning to a normal state or regaining something lost.

Reacquire

Formally regain possession of something.

Bring back

Informal way to express restoring something to its previous state or location.

Swallow your words

Idiomatic way to say that someone retracts a statement, often because they were proven wrong.

FAQs

How to use "take back" in a sentence?

You can use "take back" in various contexts, such as "I "take back" what I said about him" (retracting a statement), or "We need to "take back" control of our finances" (regaining control).

What can I say instead of "take back"?

Alternatives to "take back" include "retract", "withdraw", "regain", or "reclaim", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "take back" or "give back"?

"Take back" implies retrieving something you previously had or said, while "give back" means returning something to someone else. For example, you "take back" a statement, but "give back" a borrowed book.

What's the difference between "take back" and "get back"?

"Take back" often means to retract or regain, while "get back" can mean to return, retaliate, or recover. You might "take back" an apology, but "get back" at someone for a wrongdoing.