# work back

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/work-back
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to work overtime; to make up time off by working overtime; to work beyond a specific shift.

## Examples

- I have to work back tonight to finish this report.
- Because I took a long lunch break today, I need to work back until seven to finish my tasks.
- The team agreed to work back throughout the weekend to ensure the project met its critical deadline before the quarterly review.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.