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

When the additional officers arrive on the scene, including Island Heights police officer Dominique D’Amico-Violante and Lt. Paul Rutledge, Cassidy gets back inside his car and refuses to exit. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 27 Nov. 2024

The Ravens, conversely, are coming off a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers but can get back within a half-game in the AFC North with a win. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024

Locals help take care of their own While support continues to come from beyond the mountains of western North Carolina, help is also happening close to home, as neighbors help neighbors get back on their feet. —Alaa Elassar, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024

So ride dirt bikes, play with Marley, swim in the pool…and then get back. —Charles Moss, SPIN, 25 Nov. 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