get back

What does "get back" mean?

1. To return to a place
2. To receive something that was taken or lost
3. To respond or reply to someone at a later time
4. To return to a previous state or activity

Examples

• What time did you get back from the party last night?
• I hope I can get my security deposit back from the landlord.
• Let me check with my manager and get back to you tomorrow.
• She got back together with her ex-boyfriend after a year apart.
• When did you get back from your trip to Montreal?

How to use it

'Get back to someone' means to respond later—very common in professional contexts. 'Get back together' means to reunite in a relationship.

Word order

Separable when meaning 'to receive again': 'get something back' or 'get back something'

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• get up

  To rise from bed after sleeping

• get along

  To have a friendly relationship with someone

• get away

  To escape from a place or person

• get over

  To recover from an illness, shock, or emotional upset

• get through

  To successfully complete or finish something difficult

• get out

  To leave a place, room, or vehicle