back : Idioms & Phrases

• adverb moving from one place to another and back again
  to and fro; backward and forward.
  
  • he traveled back and forth between Los Angeles and New York
  • the treetops whipped to and fro in a frightening manner
  • the old man just sat on the porch and rocked back and forth all day

WordNet

• backwards and forwards; to and fro.

Webster 1913

• verb make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
  back away; back out; crawfish; pull in one's horns; crawfish out; withdraw; retreat.
  
  • We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
  • He backed out of his earlier promise
  • The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns

WordNet

• noun a brace worn to support the back
  

WordNet

• noun street name for lysergic acid diethylamide
  Elvis; Zen; dose; battery-acid; window pane; pane; Lucy in the sky with diamonds; acid; loony toons; dot; superman.
  

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• noun reduced priority
  
  • dozens of cases were put on the back burner

WordNet

• noun an alternative to the regular channels of communication that is used when agreements must be made secretly (especially in diplomacy or government)
  
  • they negotiated via a back channel

WordNet

• charges brought forward after an account has been made up.

Webster 1913

• noun a feat in which an acrobat arches the back from a prone position and bends the knees until the toes touch the head
  

WordNet

• noun a remote and undeveloped area
  backwoods; boondocks; hinterland.
  

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• noun a secret or underhand means of access (to a place or a position)
  backdoor.
  
  • he got his job through the back door
• noun an undocumented way to get access to a computer system or the data it contains
  backdoor.
  
• noun an entrance at the rear of a building
  backdoor; back door.
  

WordNet

Back" door"

Definitions

1. A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect way. Atterbury.

Webster 1913

• verb move backwards from a certain position
  back down; back off.
  
  • The bully had to back down
• verb remove oneself from an obligation
  back down; pull out; bow out; chicken out.
  
  • He bowed out when he heard how much work was involved

WordNet

• noun the side of an object that is opposite its front
  backside; rear.
  
  • his room was toward the rear of the hotel

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• noun an entrance at the rear of a building
  backdoor; back door.
  

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• noun exercise designed to strengthen the back muscles
  

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• (Arch.), the mass of materials used in filling up the space between two walls, or between the inner and outer faces of a wall, or upon the haunches of an arch or vault.

Webster 1913

• noun a football official
  

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• noun written matter following the main text of a book
  end matter.
  

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• noun a very remote and inaccessible place
  
  • you'd have to go to the back of beyond to find one of those

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• verb move backwards from a certain position
  back down; back off.
  
  • The bully had to back down
• verb remove oneself from an obligation
  back down; pull out; bow out; chicken out.
  
  • He bowed out when he heard how much work was involved

WordNet

• verb move out of a space backwards
  
  • He backed out of the driveway
• verb make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
  back away; back out; crawfish; pull in one's horns; crawfish out; withdraw; retreat.
  
  • We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
  • He backed out of his earlier promise
  • The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns

WordNet

• noun a bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder
  packsack; haversack; backpack; rucksack; knapsack.
  

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• noun a porch for the back door
  

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• . (Steam Engine) See under Pressure.

Webster 1913

• a guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe, and placed in contact with the work, to steady it in turning.

Webster 1913

• noun a room located in the rear of an establishment; usually accessible only to privileged groups
  

WordNet

• noun a handsaw that is stiffened by metal reinforcement along the upper edge
  backsaw.
  

WordNet

• a kind of slang in which every word is written or pronounced backwards; as, nam for man.

Webster 1913

• stairs in the back part of a house; private stairs. Also used adjectively. See Back stairs, Backstairs, and Backstair, in the Vocabulary.

Webster 1913

• (Mil.), the retrograde movement of a man or body of men, without changing front.

Webster 1913

• a current running against the main current of a stream; an eddy.

Webster 1913

• noun a narrow street with walls on both sides
  alleyway; alley.
  

WordNet

• noun an impudent or insolent rejoinder
  sass; sassing; lip; mouth; backtalk.
  
  • don't give me any of your sass

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• noun a tooth situated at the back of the mouth
  posterior.
  

WordNet

• verb give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to
  support.
  
  • She supported him during the illness
  • Her children always backed her up
• verb move backwards from a certain position
  back down; back off.
  
  • The bully had to back down
• verb establish as valid or genuine
  back.
  
  • Can you back up your claims?
• verb make a copy of (a computer file) especially for storage in another place as a security copy
  
  • You'd better back up these files!
• verb become or cause to become obstructed
  clog; congest; choke; foul; clog up; choke off.
  
  • The leaves clog our drains in the Fall
  • The water pipe is backed up

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• noun backfire from a recoilless weapon
  backblast.
  

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• adjective via a back channel
  
  • the failure of back-channel negotiations

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• noun a word invented (usually unwittingly by subtracting an affix) on the assumption that a familiar word derives from it
  

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• adjective satellite (of a lathe) equipped with gearing for reducing the speed of the spindle from that of the driving pulley
  double-geared.
  
  • a back-geared lathe

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• noun someone who is no longer popular
  has-been.
  

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• adjective satellite one after the other
  consecutive.
  
  • back-to-back home runs

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• verb cause to move back by force or influence
  repulse; beat back; repel; drive; force back.
  
  • repel the enemy
  • push back the urge to smoke
  • beat back the invaders

WordNet

• when one is absent; without one's knowledge; as, to ridicule a person behind his back .

Webster 1913

• noun white gull having a black back and wings
  Larus marinus; black-backed gull; cob.
  

WordNet

• verb improve in health
  get over; get well.
  
  • He got well fast

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• verb work very hard, like a slave
  buckle down; knuckle down; slave.
  

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• verb bring back to the point of departure
  bring back; return.
  
• verb return to consciousness
  bring to; bring around; bring round.
  
  • These pictures bring back sad memories

WordNet

• adjective satellite having the spine damaged
  
  • a broken-backed book
  • a broken-backed old horse
• adjective satellite (of a horse) having bones of the back united by a bony growth
  
• adjective satellite (of a ship) so weakened as to sag at each end
  hogged.
  

WordNet

Bro"ken-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Having a broken back; as, a broken-backed chair.
2. (Naut.) Hogged; so weakened in the frame as to droop at each end; -- said of a ship. Totten.

Webster 1913

Bunch"-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Having a bunch on the back; crooked. "Bunch-backed toad." Shak.

Webster 1913

• verb buy what had previously been sold, lost, or given away
  repurchase.
  
  • He bought back the house that his father sold years ago

WordNet

• verb cause to be returned
  recall; call in; withdraw.
  
  • recall the defective auto tires
  • The manufacturer tried to call back the spoilt yoghurt
• verb recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
  retrieve; remember; recall; recollect; think; call up.
  
  • I can't remember saying any such thing
  • I can't think what her last name was
  • can you remember her phone number?
  • Do you remember that he once loved you?
  • call up memories
• verb return or repeat a telephone call
  
  • I am busy right now--can you call back in an hour?
  • She left a message but the contractor never called back
• verb summon to return
  recall.
  
  • The ambassador was recalled to his country
  • The company called back many of the workers it had laid off during the recession

WordNet

• noun a return call
  
• noun the recall of an employee after a layoff
  

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• verb deduct a loss or an unused credit from taxable income for a prior period
  

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• noun the act of ceding back
  recession.
  

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• verb suppress
  choke down; choke off.
  
  • He choked down his rage

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• verb be restored
  return.
  
  • Her old vigor returned
• verb go back to something earlier
  recall; come back; return.
  
  • This harks back to a previous remark of his
• verb even the score, in sports
  
• verb answer back
  return; rejoin; retort; repay; riposte.
  

WordNet

• noun the occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction
  return.
  

WordNet

• verb return in time
  cut back.
  
  • the film cut back to an earlier event in the story
• verb cut down on; make a reduction in
  trim; cut; cut back; bring down; reduce; cut down; trim down.
  
  • reduce your daily fat intake
  • The employer wants to cut back health benefits
• verb cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
  trim; prune; clip; crop; snip; lop; dress.
  
  • dress the plants in the garden
• verb place restrictions on
  restrict; curtail; curb.
  
  • curtail drinking in school

WordNet

• verb belong to an earlier time
  date back; date from.
  
  • This story dates back 200 years

WordNet

Di"a*mond-back` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) The salt-marsh terrapin of the Atlantic coast (Malacoclemmys palustris).

Webster 1913

• verb suffer from a disease that kills shoots
  die down.
  
  • The plants near the garage are dying back

WordNet

• verb retrace one's course
  double back; backtrack.
  
  • The hikers got into a storm and had to turn back

WordNet

• verb pull back or move away or backward
  retire; recede; move back; withdraw; pull away; draw back; retreat.
  
  • The enemy withdrew
  • The limo pulled away from the curb
• verb use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
  retract; draw back.
  

WordNet

• verb force or drive back
  repulse; repel; rebuff; fight off.
  
  • repel the attacker
  • fight off the onslaught
  • rebuff the attack

WordNet

• verb take position in the rear, as in a military formation or in the line of scrimmage in football
  
  • The defender dropped back behind his teammate
• verb to lag or linger behind
  drop behind; trail; drag; get behind; drop back.
  
  • But in so many other areas we still are dragging

WordNet

• noun common salamander of eastern North America
  Plethodon cinereus.
  

WordNet

• verb fall backwards and down
  
• verb hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
  dawdle; fall behind; lag.
  
• verb move back and away from
  
  • The enemy fell back
• verb retreat
  drop off; fall behind; recede; lose.
  
• verb have recourse to
  resort; recur.
  
  • The government resorted to rationing meat
• verb go back to bad behavior
  retrogress; recidivate; relapse; lapse; regress.
  
  • Those who recidivate are often minor criminals

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• verb submit (information) again to a program or automatic system
  resubmit.
  
• verb respond to a query or outcome
  

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• verb defend oneself
  
• verb fight against or resist strongly
  defend; fight down; oppose; fight.
  
  • The senator said he would oppose the bill
  • Don't fight it!

WordNet

• noun financial resources provided to make some project possible
  backing; funding; support; financial support.
  
  • the foundation provided support for the experiment

WordNet

• noun a back stationed wide of the scrimmage line; used as a pass receiver
  flanker.
  

WordNet

• verb return in time
  cut back.
  
  • the film cut back to an earlier event in the story

WordNet

• verb cause to move back by force or influence
  repulse; beat back; repel; drive; force back.
  
  • repel the enemy
  • push back the urge to smoke
  • beat back the invaders

WordNet

• adverb since long ago
  since a long time ago.
  
  • she knows him from way back

WordNet

• (Football), players stationed behind those in the front line .

Webster 1913

• verb recover something or somebody that appeared to be lost
  get back.
  
  • We got back the money after we threatened to sue the company
  • He got back his son from the kidnappers
• verb take revenge or even out a score
  get even.
  
  • I cannot accept the defeat--I want to get even
• verb get one's revenge for a wrong or an injury
  settle.
  
  • I finally settled with my old enemy

WordNet

• verb pay back
  refund; repay; return.
  
  • Please refund me my money

WordNet

• verb belong to an earlier time
  date back; date from.
  
  • This story dates back 200 years
• verb return in thought or speech to something
  recur.
  
• verb regain a former condition after a financial loss
  recover; recuperate.
  
  • We expect the stocks to recover to $2.90
  • The company managed to recuperate

WordNet

• verb fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
  renege on; renege; renegue on.
  
  • She backed out of her promise

WordNet

• noun white gull having a black back and wings
  Larus marinus; black-backed gull; cob.
  

WordNet

• . (Football) See under 2d Back.

Webster 1913

• verb to lag or linger behind
  drop behind; trail; drag; get behind; drop back.
  
  • But in so many other areas we still are dragging

WordNet

• verb go back to something earlier
  recall; come back; return.
  
  • This harks back to a previous remark of his

WordNet

• adjective satellite having a high back
  
  • a high-backed sofa

WordNet

Hog's"-back` noun

Definitions

1. (Geol.) A hogback.

Webster 1913

• verb hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
  stop; hold back; arrest; contain; check.
  
  • Arrest the downward trend
  • Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
  • Contain the rebel movement
  • Turn back the tide of communism
• verb keep under control; keep in check
  restrain; hold back; keep.
  
  • suppress a smile
  • Keep your temper
  • keep your cool
• verb refrain from doing
  forbear.
  
  • she forbore a snicker
• verb wait before acting
  hold off; wait.
  
  • the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment
• verb secure and keep for possible future use or application
  retain; hold; hold back.
  
  • The landlord retained the security deposit
  • I reserve the right to disagree
• verb hold back; keep from being perceived by others
  conceal; hold in.
  
  • She conceals her anger well

WordNet

• noun an abnormal inward (forward) curvature of the vertebral column
  lordosis.
  

WordNet

• . (Brewing) See under 1st Back.

Webster 1913

• the cistern which receives the infusion of malt and hops from the copper.

Webster 1913

Huc"kle-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Round-shoulded.

Webster 1913

• (Brewing & Malt Vinegar Manuf.), a cistern which receives the wort. See under 1st Back.

Webster 1913

• verb keep under control; keep in check
  restrain; hold back; keep.
  
  • suppress a smile
  • Keep your temper
  • keep your cool
• verb secure and keep for possible future use or application
  retain; hold; hold back.
  
  • The landlord retained the security deposit
  • I reserve the right to disagree
• verb hold back; refuse to hand over or share
  withhold.
  
  • The father is withholding the allowance until the son cleans his room

WordNet

• verb pay a kickback; make an illegal payment
  
• verb spring back, as from a forceful thrust
  recoil; kick.
  
  • The gun kicked back into my shoulder

WordNet

• verb cost a certain amount
  knock back; put back.
  
  • My daughter's wedding set me back $20,000

WordNet

• noun a chair with a ladder-back
  ladder-back.
  
• noun the backrest of a chair that consists of two uprights with connecting slats
  

WordNet

• noun a chair with a ladder-back
  ladder-back.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite unhurried and relaxed
  mellow.
  
  • a mellow conversation

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• verb move the upper body backwards and down
  recline.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite used of British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War because of their red coats
  red-coated.
  

WordNet

• verb look towards one's back
  look backward.
  
  • don't look back while you walk
• verb look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events); remember
  review; retrospect.
  
  • she reviewed her achievements with pride

WordNet

• adjective satellite having a low back
  

WordNet

Lute"-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Having a curved spine.

Webster 1913

• a sky flecked with small white clouds; a cirro-cumulus. See Cloud.

Webster 1913

• noun a security created when a group of mortgages are gathered together and bonds are sold to other institutions or the public; investors receive a portion of the interest payments on the mortgages as well as the principal payments; usually guaranteed by the government
  

WordNet

• verb pull back or move away or backward
  retire; recede; move back; withdraw; pull away; draw back; retreat.
  
  • The enemy withdrew
  • The limo pulled away from the curb

WordNet

• verb move in one direction and then into the opposite direction
  

WordNet

• (Arch.), the paneled work covering the window back. See Window back.

Webster 1913

• noun a book with paper covers
  paperback; paperback book; soft-cover book; softback book; soft-cover; softback.
  

WordNet

• verb act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
  repay; reward.
  
• verb take vengeance on or get even
  fix; get; pay off.
  
  • We'll get them!
  • That'll fix him good!
  • This time I got him

WordNet

• noun a reciprocal group action
  return; getting even.
  
  • in return we gave them as good as we got

WordNet

• adverb on a railroad flatcar
  piggyback; pickaback.
  
  • the trailer rode piggyback across the country
• adverb on the back or shoulder or astraddle on the hip
  piggyback; pickaback.
  
  • she carried her child piggyback

WordNet

• verb reproduce (a recording) on a recorder
  replay.
  
  • The lawyers played back the conversation to show that their client was innocent

WordNet

• verb pull back or move away or backward
  retire; recede; move back; withdraw; pull away; draw back; retreat.
  
  • The enemy withdrew
  • The limo pulled away from the curb
• verb use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
  retract; draw back.
  
• verb move to a rearward position; pull towards the back
  
  • Pull back your arms!
• verb stretch back a bowstring (on an archer's bow)
  draw.
  
  • The archers were drawing their bows
• verb make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
  back away; back out; crawfish; pull in one's horns; crawfish out; withdraw; retreat.
  
  • We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
  • He backed out of his earlier promise
  • The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns

WordNet

• noun the act of forcing the enemy to withdraw
  rollback.
  
• verb cause to move back by force or influence
  repulse; beat back; repel; drive; force back.
  
  • repel the enemy
  • push back the urge to smoke
  • beat back the invaders

WordNet

• verb put something back where it belongs
  replace.
  
  • replace the book on the shelf after you have finished reading it
  • please put the clean dishes back in the cabinet when you have washed them
• verb cost a certain amount
  knock back; put back.
  
  • My daughter's wedding set me back $20,000

WordNet

• (Football), the player who has position next behind center rush, and receives the ball on the snap back.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having a sharp narrow back
  razorback.
  
  • a razor-backed horse
  • razorback hogs

WordNet

Ra"zor-backed" adjective

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Having a sharp, lean, or thin back; as, a razor-backed hog, perch, etc.

Webster 1913

• verb rear backwards on its hind legs
  
  • the frightened horse reared back
• verb start with anger or resentment or in protest
  

WordNet

• noun Old World lemming
  grey lemming; gray lemming.
  

WordNet

• noun any of several voles of mountainous regions of Eurasia and America
  redback vole.
  

WordNet

• noun small common sandpiper that breeds in northern or Arctic regions and winters in southern United States or Mediterranean regions
  dunlin; Erolia alpina.
  

WordNet

• noun (law) the principle that an act done at a later time is deemed by law to have occurred at an earlier time
  relation.
  
  • his attorney argued for the relation back of the amended complaint to the time the initial complaint was filed

WordNet

Roach"-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Having a back like that of roach; -- said of a horse whose back a convex instead of a concave curve.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
  crooked; stooping; hunched; stooped; round-shouldered.
  
  • a little oldish misshapen stooping woman

WordNet

Round"-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Having a round back or shoulders; round-shouldered.

Webster 1913

• noun (football) a back on the offensive team (a fullback or halfback) who tries to advance the ball by carrying it on plays from the line of scrimmage
  

WordNet

Sad"dle-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Having the outline of the upper part concave like the seat of a saddle.
2. Having a low back and high neck, as a horse.

Webster 1913

• verb refer (a matter or legal case) to another committee or authority or court for decision
  remand; remit.
  

WordNet

• verb hold back to a later time
  prorogue; defer; remit; put off; put over; shelve; table; postpone; hold over.
  
  • let's postpone the exam
• verb slow down the progress of; hinder
  
  • His late start set him back
• verb cost a certain amount
  knock back; put back.
  
  • My daughter's wedding set me back $20,000

WordNet

• noun structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly
  setoff; offset.
  

WordNet

• verb pull away from a source of disgust or fear
  retract.
  

WordNet

• verb settle into a comfortable sitting position
  take it easy.
  
• verb be inactive or indifferent while something is happening
  sit by.
  
  • Don't just sit by while your rights are violated!

WordNet

• . (Civil Engin.) (a) The course of masonry, the stone, or the iron plate, having an inclined face, which forms the abutment for the voussoirs of a segmental arch . (b) A plate, cap, or shoe, having an inclined face to receive the nut of a diagonal brace, rod, or the end of an inclined strut, in a truss or frame.

Webster 1913

• verb recover quickly
  
  • After the surgery, the patient snapped back in a few days

WordNet

• (Football), the act of snapping back the ball.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having the back covered with spines
  

WordNet

• (Bookbinding), a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat.

Webster 1913

• verb stay clear of, avoid
  keep one's eyes off; stay away; keep one's hands off; keep one's distance.
  
  • Keep your hands off my wife!
  • Keep your distance from this man--he is dangerous
• verb stand away from an object or person
  
  • He stood back to look at her

WordNet

Stic"kle-back` noun

Etymology

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small fishes of the genus Gasterosteus and allied genera. The back is armed with two or more sharp spines. They inhabit both salt and brackish water, and construct curious nests. Called also sticklebag, sharpling, and prickleback.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having a stiff back
  
  • the guards stood stiff-backed and unsmiling

WordNet

Stiff"-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Obstinate. J. H. Newman.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having a straight back
  
  • a straight-backed wooden chair
  • a slim straight-backed dancer
• adverb in a straight-backed manner
  erectly.
  
  • the old man still walks erectly

WordNet

• verb make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil
  retaliate.
  
  • The Empire strikes back
  • The Giants struck back and won the opener
  • The Israeli army retaliated for the Hamas bombing

WordNet

Sway"-backed` adjective

Definitions

1. Having the back hollow or sagged, whether naturally or as the result of injury or weakness; -- said of horses and other animals.

Webster 1913

• (Railways), an arrangement of tracks whereby elevations otherwise insurmountable are passed. The track ascends by a series of zigzags, the engine running alternately forward and back, until the summit is reached.

Webster 1913

• verb bring back to the point of departure
  bring back; return.
  
• verb regain possession of something
  repossess.
  
• verb resume a relationship with someone after an interruption, as in a wife taking back her husband
  
• verb move text to the previous line; in printing
  
• verb take back what one has said
  swallow; withdraw; unsay.
  
  • He swallowed his words
• verb cause someone to remember the past
  
  • This photo takes me back to the good old days

WordNet

• verb recapture the past; indulge in memories
  remember.
  
  • he remembered how he used to pick flowers

WordNet

• verb throw back with a quick, light motion
  throw back.
  
  • She tossed back her head

WordNet

• to bet on (a horse, etc.) against all comers.

Webster 1913

• to put on a preventer.

Webster 1913

• (Law), is for a justice of the peace, in the county where the warrant is to be executed, to sign or indorse a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend an offender.

Webster 1913

• (Naut.), to lay down a small anchor ahead of a large one, the cable of the small one being fastened to the crown of the large one.
• to increase the holding power by laying down a small anchor ahead of that by which the ship rides, with the cable fastened to the crown of the latter to prevent its coming home.

Webster 1913

• to manage the sails of a ship so that the wind strikes them alternately in front and behind, in order to keep the ship in the middle of a river or channel while the current or tide carries the vessel against the wind. Hence: (Fig.) To take opposite positions alternately; to assert and deny. Colloq.

Webster 1913

• to retreat or withdraw from a promise, engagement, or contest; to recede. Colloq.

Webster 1913

• in horse racing, to bet against a particular horse or horses, that some one of all the other horses, collectively designated "the field", will win.

Webster 1913

• . See under Back, v. t.

Webster 1913

• to row backward with the oars.

Webster 1913

• to arrange them so as to cause the ship to move astern.

Webster 1913

• to support; to sustain; as, to back up one's friends.

Webster 1913

• (Naut.), to reverse the action of the oars, paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship backward.

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• to be helpless .

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• to retreat. "Bearing back from the blows of their sable antagonist." Sir W. Scott.

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• . (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking.

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• . (a) To recall. (b) To restore, as something borrowed, to its owner.

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• to revoke or retract; to recall; to summon back.

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• to tickle; to express approbation. (Obs.) Chaucer.

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• to receive back, as duties on goods for exportation.

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• . (a) To recede or retreat; to give way. (b) To fail of performing a promise or purpose; not to fulfill.

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• . (a) (Mil.) To retreat for safety to (a stronger position in the rear, as to a fort or a supporting body of troops). (b) To have recourse to (a reserved fund, or some available expedient or support).

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• to arrive at the place from which one departed; to return.

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• to return; to restore. Atterbury.
• to recede; to retire; to retreat.

  They gave back and came no farther. Bunyan.

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• to turn back from; to abandon; to betray; as, to go back on a friend; to go back on one's professions. Colloq.
• . (a) To retrace (one's path or footsteps). (b) To abandon; to turn against; to betray. Slang, U. S.

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• to hesitate; to falter; to be reluctant. "If any one among you hangs back." Jowett (Thucyd.).

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• to go back for a fresh start, as when one has wandered from his direct course, or made a digression.

  He must have overshot the mark, and must hark back. Haggard. He harked back to the subject. W. E. Norris.

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• . (a) To reserve; to withhold . "I will keep nothing back from you." Jer. xlii. 4. (b) To restrain; to hold back. "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins." Ps. xix. 13.

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• to assume an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when attacked.) . Colloq.

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• (Naut.), to turn back; to return. "The French . . . had put back to Toulon." Southey.
• . (a) To push or thrust backwards; hence, to hinder; to delay. (b) To refuse; to deny .

  Coming from thee, I could not put him back. Shak.

  (c) To set, as the hands of a clock, to an earlier hour. (d) To restore to the original place; to replace .

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• to get rid of .

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• (Football), to roll the ball back with the foot; done only by the center rush, who thus delivers the ball to the quarter back on his own side when both sides are ranged in line. now passed back with the hands, but still called "snap"

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• to retrace one's steps; to retreat. Colloq.

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• . (a) To retort; to cast back, as a reply. (b) To reject; to refuse. (c) To reflect, as light.

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• . (a) To give back; to return.

  We turn not back the silks upon the merchants, When we have soiled them. Shak.

  (b) To cause to return or retrace one's steps; hence, to drive away; to repel. Shak.
• to turn so as to go in an opposite direction; to retrace one's steps.

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• to go away; to flee .
• to flee; to retreat.

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• ∨

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• to forsake or neglect him.

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• verb throw back with a quick, light motion
  throw back.
  
  • She tossed back her head

WordNet

• verb cut down on; make a reduction in
  trim; cut; cut back; bring down; reduce; cut down; trim down.
  
  • reduce your daily fat intake
  • The employer wants to cut back health benefits

WordNet

• verb retrace one's course
  double back; backtrack.
  
  • The hikers got into a storm and had to turn back
• verb go back to a previous state
  retrovert; return; revert; regress.
  
  • We reverted to the old rules
• verb force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
  drive out; dispel; drive away; chase away; drive off; run off.
  
  • Drive away potential burglars
  • drive away bad thoughts
  • dispel doubts
  • The supermarket had to turn back many disappointed customers
• verb hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
  stop; hold back; arrest; contain; check.
  
  • Arrest the downward trend
  • Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
  • Contain the rebel movement
  • Turn back the tide of communism
• verb turn inside out or upside down
  invert; reverse.
  

WordNet

• a vat in which distillers ferment the wort to form wash.

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• noun water heater consisting of a tank or pipes set at the back of a fireplace or in the firebox of a stove
  

WordNet

• a cistern to hold a supply of water; esp. a small cistern at the back of a stove, or a group of pipes set in the fire box of a stove or furnace, through which water circulates and is heated.

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• noun salamander of the Pacific coast of North America
  Plethodon vehiculum.
  

WordNet

• verb recover something or somebody that appeared to be lost
  get back.
  
  • We got back the money after we threatened to sue the company
  • He got back his son from the kidnappers

WordNet

• (Arch.), the inside face of the low, and usually thin, piece of wall between the window sill and the floor below.

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