throng back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "throng back" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely recognized.
It could be used to describe a large group of people returning to a place, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "As the concert ended, the crowd began to throng back towards the exits."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Benítez received congratulations from the Chelsea board members present before joining the celebratory throng back on the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Since it opened, in October, 2009, the bridge has become an unlikely grand promenade, with crowds and their dogs thronging back and forth even on windy winter afternoons.

The New Yorker

There's a role (and an avatar, each with its own backstory and wardrobe) for every personality, whether you prefer to charge into the throng, hang back to snipe from the sidelines, or tend to the wounded.

The New Yorker

At a rally two weeks ago in Santa Fe, N.M., he worked up a crowd of more than 5,000, moving from issue to issue and asking after each one, "Do we want to go backward or do we want to go forward?" Each time, the throng roared back, "Forward".

The New York Times

Crowds yelling "he won't go back" thronged the approach to the home, and an anti-Castro group moved in next door.

The New York Times

The van raced off, with Pill still saddled on her dog, waving back at the throng.

The New Yorker

"What newspaper was that again, Harvey?" shouted Baz Bamigboye, gleefully, from the back of the throng.

The Guardian - Film

1.26pm BST 10km swim With about 2km to go, the Fogg is receding, drifting to the back of the throng.

The Guardian - Sport

Horns toss and nostrils flare as 400 white brahmins thunder into the river; a heifer that strikes out for freedom is immediately lassoed and hauled back into the throng.

Independent

I just squeezed in a quick saunter around the real Mucha Museum (not a patch on his house, of course) before joining the throng on Charles Bridge and getting back in time for my facial at the hotel spa.

Independent

I responded that I was English (bad thing to do in Belgrade in general) and he disappeared back into the throng.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "throng back", ensure the context clearly indicates a return movement of a large group. It is generally preferable to use more common alternatives like "crowd back" or "flock back" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "throng back" in formal or academic writing, as it can sound awkward or less precise than alternatives like "return en masse" or "congregate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "throng back" functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of a large group of people returning to a place. Ludwig AI states it may require additional context for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "throng back" describes a crowd returning to a place. While grammatically acceptable, it's not a commonly used expression; Ludwig AI suggests it may need extra context for clarity. More common alternatives include "crowd return" or "flock back". The phrase is mostly found in news media, with a slightly formal tone. Consider using alternative phrasing to ensure clarity and avoid potential awkwardness, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crowd return

Focuses on the return of a crowd without specifying the manner of movement.

flock back

Emphasizes a gathering and return, like birds flocking.

stream back

Suggests a continuous flow of people returning.

surge back

Implies a powerful, wave-like return of a crowd.

pour back

Suggests a large number of people returning in a flowing manner.

retreat

Indicates a movement back, often in a more organized fashion.

converge back

Focuses on individuals coming together again at a specific location.

regroup

Emphasizes a planned return or gathering for a specific purpose.

rally back

Highlights a renewed gathering, often with a sense of purpose or energy.

move back in droves

Emphasizes a large number of people moving back together.

FAQs

What does "throng back" mean?

The phrase "throng back" describes a large group of people returning to a place or location. It suggests a crowd is moving back, often in a somewhat disorganized manner.

Is "throng back" commonly used in English?

While grammatically correct, "throng back" is not a frequently used phrase. Alternatives like "crowd return" or "flock back" are more common and might be better choices for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "throng back"?

You can use alternatives like "crowd return", "flock back", or "stream back" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

You can use "throng back" in a sentence like this: "As the concert ended, the crowd began to "throng back" towards the exits."