break back

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To win a game having lost a service game, or during a tiebreak, to win a point against the serve having lost a point while serving.

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “break back” mean?

To win a game having lost a service game, or during a tiebreak, to win a point against the serve having lost a point while serving.

Is “break back” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.