comeback

/ˈkʌmbæk/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈʌmbˌæk] /ˈkʌmbæk/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈʌmbˌæk] /ˈkəm-ˌbak/ (ame, mw)

comeback — noun

  • comebacksingular
  • comebacksplural

1. when someone or something that was no longer popular or successful starts to do

1.名詞B2
釋義

when someone or something that was no longer popular or successful starts to do well and attract attention again — for example, an old band releasing a new hit song, or a fashion style from the past becoming trendy once more.

例句

Anna made a surprising comeback in film after taking ten years off from acting.

make a comeback — return after a long absence

Vinyl records have staged a comeback among young music fans who prefer the warm sound.

stage a comeback — become popular again

同義詞
  • return

    more general; can refer to any act of coming back, not just after a period of decline

  • resurgence

    formal; suggests a strong, powerful return rather than a simple reappearance

  • revival

    often used for things (art styles, traditions) rather than people

反義詞
  • decline

    a period of falling popularity or success

  • disappearance

    when someone or something vanishes from public attention completely

文法句型

make a comeback

stage a comeback

用法筆記

Often used with make, stage, or mount. Subject can be a person (actor, musician, politician) or a thing (fashion style, product, restaurant).

常見錯誤

❌She made her come back after the baby was born.
✅She made a comeback after the baby was born.
💡'comeback' is a single word, not two words.
❌The singer made a comeback with his new movie.
✅The singer made a comeback with his new album.
💡a comeback is usually a return to one's own field of work.

2. a situation during a game or match in which a player or team that is far behind

2.名詞B2
釋義

a situation during a game or match in which a player or team that is far behind catches up, equalises the score, or goes on to win.

例句

The Dragons staged an incredible comeback in the final quarter to win by two points.

stage a comeback — recover from a losing position

Trailing by three goals at half-time, Asher's team mounted a stunning comeback and won 4-3.

同義詞
  • recovery

    broader; can refer to any return to a good state, not just sports

  • rally

    specifically a burst of effort to catch up, common in tennis and team sports

反義詞
  • collapse

    when a winning team suddenly starts losing

  • defeat

    the opposite of a win, though a comeback attempt can still end in defeat

文法句型

stage a comeback

mount a comeback

用法筆記

Common in sports journalism and commentary. Often paired with adjectives like stunning, incredible, amazing, or dramatic.

常見錯誤

❌Our team made a comeback against the score.
✅Our team made a comeback from a ten-point deficit.
💡say what you were behind by, not what you were against.

3. a quick, clever, or funny answer that you give to someone who has made a rude or

3.名詞B2
釋義

a quick, clever, or funny answer that you give to someone who has made a rude or critical remark — especially one that turns the criticism back on the speaker.

例句

Lucía delivered a sharp comeback that made everyone at the table laugh.

deliver a comeback — say a witty reply

Zayd thought of the perfect comeback hours later, when the argument was already over.

同義詞
  • retort

    slightly more formal; a sharp, angry, or witty reply

  • rejoinder

    formal; a reply, especially to a legal or rhetorical statement

反義詞
  • compliment

    a positive remark, not a response to criticism

文法句型

deliver a comeback

think of a comeback

用法筆記

This sense is always about a verbal response. A good comeback is both fast and clever — 'witty' is the most common modifier.

常見錯誤

❌He gave a quick comeback to the question.
✅He gave a quick comeback to the insult.
💡a comeback responds to a criticism or insult, not a neutral question.

4. a way of demanding that someone take responsibility for something wrong they did

4.名詞C1
釋義

a way of demanding that someone take responsibility for something wrong they did to you, or a reason to complain that you can use to get a fair result — for example, getting your money back from a shop that sold you a broken item.

例句

If the landlord will not fix the broken boiler, the tenants have no legal comeback.

have little legal comeback — have few ways to get justice

Customers who bought the faulty phone have no comeback once the warranty has run out.

同義詞
  • recourse

    more common and formal; 'have recourse to' means you can turn to someone for help

  • redress

    formal; money or action that makes up for a wrong

反義詞
  • impunity

    being free from punishment or consequences

文法句型

have no comeback

have little comeback

legal comeback

用法筆記

Almost always used in negative or limiting expressions: 'have no comeback', 'have little comeback'. Rarely used positively. This sense is most common in British English legal and consumer contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I have a comeback against his rude comment.
✅I have a comeback against the company for overcharging me.
💡sense 4 is about legal/financial disputes, not personal remarks (use sense 3 instead).