give back

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give back

1. To return or restore something to someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "give" and "back." Give me back my sweater, you brat! Did I ever give you your pen back?
2. To act in a charitable manner, often by donating money or volunteering. I like to give back to my community by working with other volunteers to clean up our local parks.
See also: back, give

give someone or something back (to someone or something)

to return someone or something to someone or something. Please give it back to me. You took my lunch away from me. You had better give it back. Give back the book right now!
See also: back, give

give something back

 (to someone) (with interest)
1. Lit. to return money to someone with an additional amount for interest. You are going to have to give that money back to me with interest. Please give back the proper amount... with interest!
2. Fig. to return something to someone in excess of what was received. We will give back all your kindness to you with interest. We will give it all back with interest.
See also: back, give

give back

v.
To return something: Don't forget to give the books back when you're done with them. I gave back the hammer when the job was done.
See also: back, give
References in periodicals archive ?
"A corneal transplant can give someone back the gift of sight," he added.
UK researchers 3D-print corneas using human tissue
"But it's very rewarding to give someone back a clean bed to sleep in.
From bloody crime scenes to hoarder homes: Meet the women taking on Scotland's most stomach-churning clean up jobs; From eliminating all traces of a grisly murder to finding dead pets in piles of living room rubbish, these three cleaning experts have seen it all
They'll say, 'My cat disappeared a couple of years ago I don't know where it got to.' "But it's very rewarding to give someone back a clean bed to sleep in.
SCENES OF GRIME; BLOOD AND GORE IT'S A DIRTY JOB BUT SOMEONE'S GOT TO DO IT Dealing with the aftermath of a murder, a stash of filthy needles in a drug den or finding a dead animal in a hoarder's home is all in a day's work for tough team at Scots cleaning company
"By supporting our campaign you will help make the difference on whether someone can eat or heat their home, and give someone back their independence.
Could you donate your fuel allowance to poor?
"By supporting the campaign you will help make the difference on whether someone can eat or heat their home, and give someone back their independence."
Winter deaths in North East plummet but Surviving Winter campaigners urge people to still donate; There were 800 excess winter deaths last year, a fall of 920 from 1,720 deaths in the previous winter, but the problem hasn't gone away
"An implant patching across damage on the spinal cord may even by able to give someone back some feeling or movement," Professor Harwin was quoted as saying, by the Mirror.
Samsung Galaxy Gear, Google Glasses to Spur More Tech-Designed Wearable Body Gadgets
For just pounds 5 readers can give someone back their sight through an operation to treat the blinding condition trachoma.
This Christmas, give sight to a stranger; views
"There's no better satisfaction than knowing you helped give someone back their eyesight," she said.
Postcards from El Salvador
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