head back

No object

This verb takes no object at all.

How to say it

Stress the particle, not the verb: head BACK. Saying “HEAD back” is the clearest learner tell — the verb stays light and the particle carries the beat.

Do not release the /d/. Before the consonant of “back” the stop is held and swallowed rather than popped — the same unreleased-stop move as in hot dog. One smooth unit: “head back”.

What it means

To return to where you came from.
informal
- “It's getting late — let's head back.”
- “They headed back to the hotel after dinner.”
Similar: return

The particle logic

back

Something returns to where it was, or is held in reserve.

Listen + practice

Hear “head back” spoken naturally

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More HEAD phrasal verbs

Compare the whole family →

head out

To leave in order to go somewhere.

head back — meaning, examples & how to say it