get back — return
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcore
To come back to a place, especially after being away.
Say it like a native
Textbook At what time did you arrive home yesterday evening?
Native What time did you get back last night?
'Get back' is the everyday verb for returning home; 'arrive home' is a touch more formal and stiff in speech.
Pattern: get back (to [place])
In use
- I usually get back from work around six o'clock.daily life
- If I travel for business, I try to get back home as soon as possible because I miss my family.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I got back to home late.
✓ I got back home late. / got back late.
No 'to' before 'home' — 'get back home' or just 'get back'.
Common collocations
get back (home/to)— home, late, to work, by six
Don't confuse it
'Come back' is often used from the listener's point of view, while 'get back' focuses on the person returning.
Related
- get back (recover possession) — Another meaning of 'get back' is 'recover possession'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.