Phrase guide

there and back

phrase · 1 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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1

phrase

Meaning 1

On or for a round trip journey, literal or figurative.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • It took me about 20 minutes there and back.
  • You don't need to tell me about depression. I've been there and back.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Possibly a shortening of to there and back.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: sinne ja takaisin — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • Finnish: menopaluuna — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • Finnish: edestakaisin — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • German: hin und zurück — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • Hungarian: oda-vissza — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • Polish: tam i z powrotem — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • Russian: туда́ и обра́тно (tudá i obrátno) — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • Spanish: ir y volver — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • Spanish: estar allí y volver — on or for a round trip journey (literal)
  • Finnish: sinne ja takaisin — on or for a round trip journey (figurative)
  • Russian: проходи́ли (proxodíli) — on or for a round trip journey (figurative)