bring back — return something
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to take something or someone to the place where they were before, or to give something back to its owner.
Say it like a native
Textbook Kindly return the borrowed item to me by tomorrow.
Native Can you bring it back by tomorrow?
'Bring back' is the everyday verb for returning a thing; 'return the borrowed item' is formal.
Pattern: bring back [object]
In use
- Please bring back my book when you finish reading it.daily life
- If I borrow something from a friend, I always make sure to bring it back as soon as possible.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Please bring back me my charger.
✓ Please bring my charger back. / Please bring it back to me.
The thing returned is the object; the person needs 'to me'.
Common collocations
bring back + item— the keys, it, my book, a souvenir
Don't confuse it
'Take back' is used when you move something away from where you are; 'bring back' is used when you return something to where you or the listener is.
Related
- bring back (make someone remember) — Another meaning of 'bring back' is 'make someone remember'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.