Go back on Meaning in English
expression
ˈɡoʊ/ /ˈbæk/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
GOH-BAK-awn
ɡˈəʊ/ /bˈæk/ /ˈɒn
goh-BAK-on
Definition
To break a promise, agreement, or commitment; to not do what you said you would do.
Usage & Nuances
'Go back on' is always followed by what is being broken: usually 'your word', 'a promise', or 'an agreement'. It suggests letting someone down or acting unreliably. It's a common, slightly informal phrasal verb.
Spanish: incumplir - retractarse dePortuguese (BR): descumprir - voltar atrás emPortuguese (PT): incumprir - voltar atrás emChinese (Simplified): 违背 - 食言Chinese (Traditional): 違背 - 食言Hindi: बात से मुकर जाना - वादा तोड़नाArabic: ينقض (وعداً) - يتراجع عنBengali: প্রতিশ্রুতি ভঙ্গ করা - কথা থেকে সরে যাওয়াRussian: отказываться от (обещания) - нарушать (обещание)Japanese: 約束を破る - 約束に背くVietnamese: thất hứa - nuốt lờiKorean: 약속을 어기다 - 약속을 지키지 않다Turkish: sözünden dönmek - vaadinden caymakUrdu: وعد خلافی کرنا - عہد توڑناIndonesian: mengingkari janji - tidak menepati janji
Example Sentences
He promised to help me, but he went back on his word.
basic
Don't go back on your promise.
basic
She never goes back on her agreements.
basic
I can’t believe they went back on the deal at the last minute.
natural
If you go back on your word, people will stop trusting you.
natural
They promised a raise but suddenly went back on it without explanation.
natural