run back (to someone or something)
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
run back to someone or something
to return to someone or something in a hurry. The child ran back to her mother. We all ran back to the house.
See also: back, run
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- 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