to take something or someone to the place where they were before, or to give something back to its owner.
Please bring back my book when you finish reading it.
A: Are you going to the office today? B: Yes, do you want me to bring back your charger?
If I borrow something from a friend, I always make sure to bring it back as soon as possible.
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'.
Tell it apart
Bring the ladder back when you're done.
return it towards me
Take the ladder back to the shed.
move it there, away from me
Use 'bring back' when you are talking about returning something to where you or the listener are.'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.
to cause someone to remember something from the past.
This song brings back so many memories from my childhood.
A: Why are you smiling at that photo? B: It brings back good times we had at university.
Looking at old pictures can bring back strong emotions, especially if they remind you of important moments in your life.
Common mistake
✗That smell brings back me memories.
✓That smell brings back memories. / That smell brings memories back.
The thing remembered is the object ('bring back memories'); don't slot a person in there.
Tell it apart
This photo brings back so many memories.
makes me remember
Can you bring back my book?
return it to me — different sense
Use 'bring back' to talk about something that makes you remember a feeling, event, or time.'Remind' is used for prompting someone to do something; 'bring back' is about memories or feelings returning.