Definition

1. Verb (phrasal verb):
   • To fail to keep a promise, agreement, or commitment: To not do what one has said one would do; to renege on an assurance or obligation.
   • To withdraw from or reverse a previous position or statement: To change one's mind and not follow through on a stated intention.

Usage

• This phrasal verb is transitive and requires an object (e.g., a promise, word, agreement).
• It is used to describe a negative action—breaking a trust or commitment.
• Common structures: "go back on one's word/promise/agreement/commitment."

Examples

• Verb:
  • He promised to help, but he went back on his word at the last minute.
  • The company went back on its agreement to provide full healthcare benefits.
  • You can trust her; she never goes back on her promises.

Advanced Usage

• "to go back on a deal": to fail to honor the terms of a formal arrangement or contract.
  • After shaking hands, it would be dishonorable to go back on the deal.
• The phrasal verb often implies a betrayal of trust or a failure of integrity.

Variants and Related Words

• Renegue (on) (verb): a more formal synonym meaning to go back on a promise, agreement, or contract.
  • He reneged on his pledge to donate the money.
• Break (a promise/one's word) (verb phrase): a simpler, more direct synonym.
  • She broke her promise to call.

Synonyms

• Break (one's word): To fail to keep a promise.
• Default on: To fail to fulfill an obligation, especially financial.
• Back out (of): To withdraw from a commitment or promise.
• Fail to honor: To not respect or fulfill an agreement.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Back out (of) (phrasal verb): to decide not to do something one has agreed to do.
  • He backed out of the project at the last second. (Note: This is closely related but does not use the exact target phrase "go back on.")

Related Idioms

• Break faith with (someone): to stop supporting or being loyal to someone; to betray a trust.
  • By selling the land, he broke faith with the community that trusted him.
• Eat one's words: to be forced to retract a statement, often in a humiliating way. (This relates to taking back what was said, but is distinct from failing to fulfill a promise.)
  • He had to eat his words after his prediction was proven wrong.

Verb

1. fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
   • She backed out of her promise