What Does โGo back on sthโ Mean?
โGo back on sthโ means to fail to keep a promise, agreement, or commitment. It often implies breaking trust or not doing what was promised.
Introduction
The phrase โgo back on sthโ is a common phrasal verb in English that is used when someone does not keep a promise or breaks an agreement. Understanding the go back on sth meaning helps learners recognize situations involving trust and responsibility. It is often used in both formal and informal conversations, especially when discussing commitments, contracts, or promises that were not honored. Knowing how to use this phrase correctly can improve your communication skills and help you express disappointment or frustration clearly when agreements are not kept.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: go back on something
- Type: intransitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to break a promise or fail to keep an agreement
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โGo back on sthโ is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning the object (something) always comes after the entire phrasal verb.
- Correct pattern: go back on + something
- Example: She went back on her word.
- Incorrect: She went back her word on. (Never separate โgo back onโ)
How to Use โGo back on sthโ?
You use โgo back on sthโ when talking about someone who does not do what they promised or agreed to do. It shows that the person has changed their mind or decided not to follow through. This phrase is often used in situations involving promises, contracts, or commitments, especially when trust is broken.
Examples
Imagine you promised a friend to help them move, but then you decide not to. You could say, โI donโt want to go back on my promise.โ
- He went back on his promise to finish the project on time.
- The company went back on its agreement and raised prices unexpectedly.
- She promised to support the team but went back on her word at the last minute.
- Donโt go back on your commitments if you want people to trust you.
- They went back on their deal, causing problems for everyone involved.
Common Mistakes
Some learners confuse the word order or use incorrect prepositions. Here are common mistakes and the correct forms:
- Incorrect: He went back his promise on.
- Correct: He went back on his promise.
- Incorrect: She went back off her word.
- Correct: She went back on her word.
Differences / Synonyms
โGo back on sthโ is similar to phrases like โbreak a promiseโ or โrenege on sth,โ but each has a slightly different tone and formality.
- Break a promise: More general and common in everyday speech.
- Renege on sth: More formal, often used in legal or business contexts.
- Go back on sth: Used often in spoken English, with a neutral to negative tone.
For example, โHe broke his promiseโ and โHe went back on his promiseโ mean the same, but the second phrase emphasizes the act of failing to keep the promise.
Common Collocations
โGo back onโ is often used with these common objects:
- Promise โ a commitment someone makes.
- Word โ an informal way of saying promise.
- Agreement โ a formal deal or contract.
- Deal โ an arrangement or negotiation.
- Commitment โ a responsibility or obligation.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of go back on sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โgo back on sthโ:
Anna: Did John really go back on his promise to help us?
Ben: Yes, he said he would come but didnโt show up.
Anna: Thatโs disappointing. I hate when people go back on their word.
Practice
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
- She promised to attend the meeting but later _______ her promise.
- a) went back on
- b) went off on
- c) went back in
- Answer: a) went back on
FAQs
- Q: Can โgo back onโ be used with people?
A: Yes, it is used to describe someone breaking a promise or agreement. - Q: Is โgo back onโ formal or informal?
A: It is neutral but commonly used in everyday and business English. - Q: Can I say โgo back on my wordโ and โbreak my wordโ interchangeably?
A: Yes, both mean failing to keep a promise. - Q: Is โgo back on sthโ separable?
A: No, the object must come after the entire phrase. - Q: What is a synonym for โgo back onโ?
A: โRenege onโ and โbreakโ are close synonyms.
