ring back

ring back

1. To call (someone or some place) on the telephone again, usually after failing to reach the desired person the first time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "ring" and "back." I didn't get an answer, so I'll trying ringing back tomorrow. I have to ring the passport office back in about an hour because everyone was out to lunch.

2. To return someone's or some organization's telephone call. A noun or pronoun is be used between "ring" and "back." I saw I missed a call from my mother, so I need to ring her back once we're finished eating. We are unable to answer the telephone right now, so please leave a message with your name and number, and we will ring you back as soon as possible.

See also: back, ring

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

ring someone back

to call someone back on the telephone. I will have to ring back the store at a later time. Please ring me back when you have a moment.

See also: back, ring

ring back

to call back on the telephone. No, there's no message. I'll ring back later. She's not here now. I suggest you ring back after dinner.

See also: back, ring

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

ring back

v.

1. To telephone someone who has called previously: The store clerk rang back the customer who had left a message. I listened to the voice mail that my father had left, and then I rang him back.

2. To telephone someone or someplace again: She could tell he was busy, so she told him she would ring him back later. When I called I got the answering machine, so I left a message saying I'd ring back the next day.

See also: back, ring

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.