return an item
I had to take back the shoes because they were too small.
take back — 3 meanings
Same words, different jobs. Compare the meanings side by side so you know which one fits the situation.
phrasal verb3 meanings
take backsame phrase
Which one do you mean?
retract words
He realized he was wrong and took back what he said.
evoke memories
The smell of freshly baked bread always takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen.
Unlock the practice layer
Free: compare the meanings and see one natural example. Pro adds deeper examples, listening, saved confusing meanings, and review.
Meanings in detail
1. return an item
B1neutralspoken
to bring something you bought or borrowed back to the place you got it from, usually because you don't want it or it doesn't work.
I had to take back the shoes because they were too small.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlock2. retract words
B2neutralspoken
to admit that something you said was wrong or hurtful and say you no longer mean it.
He realized he was wrong and took back what he said.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlock3. evoke memories
C1informalspoken
to cause someone to remember or feel as if they are in a time in the past, often because of a particular sight, sound, or smell.
The smell of freshly baked bread always takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlockTurn this confusion into speaking practice
Practise one meaning at a time, save confusing meanings, review later, and listen to natural examples when generated audio is ready.