get back

verb

got back; got back or gotten back; getting back; gets back

intransitive verb

1

: to come or go again to a person, place, or condition : return, revert

getting back to the main topic of the lecture

2

: to gain revenge : retaliate

—usually used with at

transitive verb

: to regain possession of : recover

Synonyms

• re-collect
• reacquire
• recapture
• reclaim
• recoup
• recover
• regain
• repossess
• retake
• retrieve

Examples of get back in a Sentence

the distraught owner cried that she would do anything to get back her lost dog

Recent Examples on the Web

The Oilers had their chances to get back into the game and outshot Florida 32-18, but Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves to leave Edmonton scoreless in Game 1. —Sam Joseph, CNN, 10 June 2024

Far from a diminishing return, Timeless is the sound of a master getting back into the groove and finding his muse burning bright as ever. —Daniel Bromfield, SPIN, 7 June 2024

Bee journalists will review your application, do additional research and get back in touch with you. —Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024

The Mavericks would cut Boston’s lead to 8 points in the third quarter and seemed poised to get back in the game, but Boston made some critical 3-pointers and Dallas didn’t, and the lead was soon back in double-digits. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

get back

verb

1

: to return to a person, place, or condition

getting back to our first topic

2

: to get revenge

get back at him for the insult

3

: to regain possession of