Phrasal verb
come back
Meanings
to return to a place after leaving
to return or happen again (of a feeling, memory, problem, or situation)
to reply to someone later with an answer or more information
Definition
To come back means to return to a place or to return again after leaving.
When you come back, you return to the place where you were before. It can also mean that something returns, such as a feeling, a memory, or a problem. People often use it in everyday speech for returning in time or reappearing in a situation.
Examples
- I’ll come back after I drop these keys off.
- Can you come back tomorrow morning?
- He came back to the café to get his forgotten umbrella.
- The same worry kept coming back whenever she tried to relax.
- They said they would come back with a final decision by Friday.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "come back" and "go back"—use "come back" when returning toward the speaker or the original point of reference.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.