have (someone) back

idiom

: to be with (someone who has returned) again

Welcome home! It's great to have you back (with us again)!

We'd love to have you back for another visit.

He longs to have her back in his life.

The doctor said he'd like to have me back for more tests next week.

: to allow (someone) to return

He wants to return to his wife, but she won't have him back.

Examples of have (someone) back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Steelers also will have back defensive starters Larry Ogunjobi, DeShon Elliott, Donte Jackson and Joey Porter Jr., all of whom missed most or all of the previous meeting. —

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 Like most seasons, there were gut punches (see: Ohio State and Oregon) with plenty of plays the team would love to have back. —

Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 Most American city street grids have back alleys between buildings. —

The Upshot Staff, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024 Hall took a leave of absence during November of 2023 to have back surgery, with his spot filled by longtime Elton John and former David Lee Roth bassist Matt Bissonette. —

Gary Graff, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for have (someone) back

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have someone's number

have (someone) back

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“Have (someone) back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%20%28someone%29%20back. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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