run back

run back

1. To return (to some location) very quickly and briefly for some purpose. Sorry, I need to run back to the office. I forgot my briefcase. Let me run back home and get that book I was telling you about.
2. To take someone back (to some location), especially by car. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "run" and "back." Martin's not feeling well, so I'm going to run him back home. I forgot my bag at the airport. Thankfully, Sarah said she could run me back.
3. In rugby and American football, to run while carrying the ball from one's own end of the field toward that of one's opponents. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "run" and "back." Johnson caught the ball on the 20-yard line after the kickoff and proceeded to run it back nearly 75 yards. She ran back a fumble at midfield for a late-game touchdown.
4. To rewind or replay a video or audio recording, either to the beginning or to a particular point. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "run" and "back." Can you run the interview back to the 10-minute mark, please? I want to hear how he answers the question again. This video is so hilarious. I've run it back three times already, and I burst out laughing each time!
See also: back, run

run back (to someone or something)

1. To return (to someone, something, or some place) very quickly, as by running. He ran back to give me a note. I have to run back to the office to get some important documents.
2. To return something (to someone, something, or some place) very quickly, as by running. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "run" and "back." I just need to run this package back to the boss before I can take my lunch break. He ran back the ball that had gone into the neighbor's yard.
3. To return a recording to an earlier point and play it again. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "run" and "back." The prosecution ran back the tape for the jury so they could hear the defendant's words. The coach ran the video back to the fumble so we could see exactly what went wrong.
See also: back, run, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

run something back

to wind something back to the beginning. Run the tape back and listen to it again. Run back the tape and listen again.
See also: back, run

run back

to come back, running. She ran to the barn and then ran back. Tom ran back, very much afraid.
See also: back, run
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • come back and see us
  • dial (one) back
  • dial back
  • back
  • back at (something or some place)
  • comeback
  • come back
  • be/go back to square one
  • by the back door
  • by/through the back door
References in classic literature
A lifelong habit of his at this time of the year; but he was ready to run back to Paris if he could do anything for his "chere enfant," run back for a day, for two days, for three days, for any time; miss Monte Carlo this year altogether, if he could be of the slightest use and save her going herself.
Shall I run back to Paris and make it up for you with Azzolati?"
Arrow of Gold
He kept our feet on the smoothest part of the road, and if the uphill was very long, he set the carriage wheels a little across the road, so as not to run back, and gave us a breathing.
Black Beauty
It was during this period that he might have harkened to the memories of the lair and the stream and run back to the Wild.
White Fang
I lost no time in letting fly several arrows, and at last one of the great animals fell to the ground dead, and the others retreated, leaving me free to come down from my hiding place and run back to tell my master of my success, for which I was praised and regaled with good things.
Arabian Nights
Event 2 -- Run Down & Run Back Relay: A student runs down to the end line and runs back to tag his or her teammate.
Event 4 -- Run Down Backward & Run Back Forwards Relay: A student runs backward down to the end line and runs forwards back to tag a teammate.
On the ball CMSF students participate in fourth PBIS event of the year
He seems in good form and ready for his first run back."
Philip Fenton, trainer of Pineau De Re "I'm hoping he has come on a bit from his first run back on the Flat at Navan over two weeks ago and he'll probably improve a bit again from this."
Steven Crawford, brother and assistant to Stuart Crawford, trainer of Aibrean "It's her first run back for a while but she has run well fresh before.
Rigour Back Bob looks in 'good form' for return; RACE OF THE DAY
Sgt Lunn said: "Some marvellous people helped us out and we ended up being able to complete the run back on time."
Police hit their target
When the returner looks up and sees nothing but four huge opposing jerseys right in his face, his natural instinct - almost without fail - will be to turn and run back across the field laterally away from that pressure.
The Swinging Gate: kick-off coverage supreme!
"He got a frightful near career-ending cut on his first start over fences at Clonmel and it took a tremendous amount of time to get his confidence back as a result, but he'll like the ground and I hope he'll get a good confidence-booster and run very well on his first run back since April."
"It's his first run back for a while so I'd say he'll improve a lot from it, but he seems in good form and Ruby Walsh was available so we're looking forward to it."
Rory's Sister 'in great old form' - Swan
Tried to run back some loose ball, but spent most of the day trying floor big runners wearing white.
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