go back

British  

verb

1. to return

2. (often foll by to) to originate (in)

   the links with France go back to the Norman Conquest

3. (foll by on) to change one's mind about; repudiate (esp in the phrase go back on one's word )

4. (of clocks and watches) to be set to an earlier time, as during British Summer Time

   when do the clocks go back this year?

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go back Idioms  

1. Return, retrace one's steps; also, return to a former condition. For example, I'm going back to the haunts of my youth , or We want to go back to the old way of doing things . [First half of 1500s]

2. Extend backward in space or time, as in Our land goes back to the stone wall , or The family name goes back to Norman times . [Second half of 1600s] Also see go back on .

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Example Sentences

There might be a bit of an edge to this one, because going back to my time as a Chelsea player there was always a rivalry here.

From BBC

That’s the biggest thing I wish I could go back and change about my youth.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I came out with no expectation of going back in," he added.

From BBC

When it went out for a throw the referee went back to book Caicedo who was down injured needing treatment.

From BBC

Max Morrow, 15, is tired of talking about the fire and the house they can’t go back to yet.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• renege