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back track vs track back

Both "back track" and "track back" are correct phrases, but they have different meanings and usage. "Back track" means to retrace one's steps or go back along a path, while "track back" is less common and can refer to going back to a previous point in a discussion or argument.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 726 views

back track

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean retracing one's steps or going back along a path.

Use "back track" when you want to express the idea of retracing your steps or going back along a path.

Examples:

I realized I had taken the wrong turn and had to back track to find the right path.
The detective had to back track to the crime scene to look for more clues.

Show examples from the web [+]

Langley says you have a back track on Ridley.
We back track and we go around.
We need to back track and hike out of here -
So l was trying to back track my night, and l thought, well, l couldn't possibly have left it here, could l?
Before the last summit in Samara a resolution had been declared: I hope our silence today doesn't mean we are trying to back-track.
In writing, so you can't back-track.
Whereas with a linear city, you go to one end, you have to back-track to get to the same point.
We need to make sure that the US does not back-track on its Copenhagen commitments and we must encourage them to contribute to a successful outcome of the COP 16 meeting in Cancún.
My breeding program is back on track.
The Lisbon reform process is back on track.
I told Grace - whatever it takes to get her back on track and back on my track, that's fine.
The work of the EAR focused first on relieving the emergency and getting basic services back on track.
In line with EC programmes the work focused first on relieving the emergency and getting basic services back on track.
I hope you get your life back on track.
I informed the White House that the rescue operation is back on track.
The rescue operation is back on track.
45 days to get us back on track.
After all these months, the peace process is back on track.
Overcoming the blame game and getting your life back on track.
Could help get our investigation back on track.

Alternatives:

retrace one's steps
go back along the path
return to a previous point
revisit a previous location
retrace one's route

track back

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It can refer to going back to a previous point in a discussion or argument.

Use "track back" when you want to refer to going back to a previous point in a discussion or argument.

Examples:

Let's track back to the beginning of the meeting and review what was discussed.
I need to track back to the earlier part of the book to find the reference.

Show examples from the web [+]

How many agents you need to track back to where all those cans came from?
Serial numbers track back to a government office in Queens.
When you peel away the Shell companies and the dummy bank accounts, a lot of these little wars all track back to the same weapon supplier, Gregory Hart.
The car doesn't track back to anyone at the N.S.A.
That's the fastest track back to maximum security.
So we track back and we look for the centre, which would be here, in Soho.
This is The Stig taking a Caterham to the ragged edge on our track back in 2008.
When you peel away the Shell companies and the dummy bank accounts, a lot of these little wars all track back to the same weapon supplier,
Track back where the centaurs came from.
Track back where the centaurs came from.
Flag State authorities shall track back the source document based on the vessel's logbook and landing data
We'll follow the creature's tracks back to him.
Follow the tracks back to where they killed it.
Then we can follow the tracks back home.
The char pattern tracks back to here.
The char pattern tracks back to here.
Tracks back to a lawyer on Gunhill Road named Ari Lowenstein.
Her social security number tracks back to a woman named Trudy Sumner.
Some fresh tires tracks back over there.
When the car stops, get off and follow the tracks back to town.

Alternatives:

go back to a previous point
return to an earlier stage
revisit a previous topic
retrace the discussion
revisit an earlier point

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