take back one's words; go back on one's word
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to take back what one said; to go back on one's word
neutralOften implies breaking a promise or reneging on a statement, which can damage trust. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
Tā他
zuó昨
tiān天
dā答
yìng应
bāng帮
wǒ我
，
jīn今
tiān天
jiù就
fǎn反
kǒu口
bú不
rèn认
le了
。
He promised to help me yesterday, but today he went back on his word and refused to acknowledge it.
Qiān签
le了
hé合
tong同
jiù就
bù不
néng能
fǎn反
kǒu口
，
fǒu否
zé则
yào要
fù负
fǎ法
lǜ律
zé责
rèn任
。
Once you sign a contract, you cannot go back on your word, or you'll face legal liability.
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Huà话
yǐ已
shuō说
chū出
，
bù不
néng能
fǎn反
kǒu口
。
The words have already been spoken; you cannot take them back.