Phrase guide

go back on

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To be treacherous or faithless to; to betray.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • to go back on friends

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: double-cross, sell out, stab in the back, assfuck, betray, burn, cop out, cross out, cross up, do someone dirty, do the dirty on, false, go back on, knife, let down, play someone false, quisle, renegade, sell, sell the pass, sell down the river, sell down, swike, traitorize, turncoat

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To fail to keep; to renege on.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • to go back on one's promises
  • BBC News On Sunday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country would not go back on its nuclear programme.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see go, back, go back, on.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He went back on the same path.
  • They said the electricity will go back on before midnight.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

fail to fulfill a promise or obligation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She backed out of her promise

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: renege, renege on, renegue on

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: revoke, annul, lift, countermand, reverse, repeal, overturn, rescind, vacate

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: hintergehen — be treacherous or faithless to; betray
  • German: betrügen — be treacherous or faithless to; betray
  • German: verraten — be treacherous or faithless to; betray
  • German: im Stich lassen — be treacherous or faithless to; betray
  • Finnish: perua — fail to keep, renege on
  • French: revenir sur — fail to keep, renege on
  • German: zurücknehmen — fail to keep, renege on
  • German: rückgängig machen — fail to keep, renege on
  • Greek: υπαναχωρώ (ypanachoró) — fail to keep, renege on
  • Greek: ανακαλώ (anakaló) — fail to keep, renege on
  • Spanish: retractarse — fail to keep, renege on
  • Spanish: desdecirse — fail to keep, renege on