# get back

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/get-back
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to return to a place after you have been away.

For teachers: to return to a previous location. This sense is intransitive.

## Examples

- What time did you get back last night?
- She usually gets back from work around six o'clock.
- After a long and arduous journey through the mountains, the explorers were relieved to finally get back to the safety of their base camp.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I got back my home at midnight." but "I got back home at midnight." — In the sense of 'return', 'get back' is intransitive and does not take a direct object; the destination is introduced with 'to' or used as an adverb (like 'home').

## Usage notes

- Often used with 'from' to specify the origin or 'to' to specify the destination.
- Teaching tip: Clarify that this intransitive sense means 'return', and contrast it with the transitive 'get something back' (retrieve) and 'get back to someone' (reply later).

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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.