go back

verb

went back; gone back; going back; goes back

intransitive

1

: to return to a place, activity, or situation

I forgot my phone and had to go back.

I left school but later went back.

Once you do this, there's no going back. [=you cannot undo what has been done]

2

: to have existed for a particular amount of time or since a particular period

traditions that go back to ancient times

3

: to have known each other for a particular amount of time or for a long time

We go back 30 years.

They go way back.

4

: to think or talk about something from the past

To understand, you have to go back to when it started.

see also:

go back on

Examples of go back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tampa Bay has lost 12 of its last 13 playoff games decided in overtime going back to Game 5 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. —Eduardo Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander is trying to go back-to-back, Jokic — who has been first or second in five straight seasons, entering this year — is seeking his fourth MVP in six years and Wembanyama is a finalist for the first time. —Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Of course, there’s no going back—for us, for soccer, or for the broader experience economy. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Since the Senate made amendments to the bill before passing it, the measure went back to the lower chamber for a still-unscheduled floor vote. —Max Rego, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for go back

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback