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Glite Dictionary
to make a comeback

to make a comeback

33 3.5
To become popular or successful again after a time away
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : volver
  • The fashion industry is watching closely to see if this trend will make a comeback next season.

I think I feel like it's making a comeback.

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Examples

  • After years out of the spotlight, the singer is ready to make a comeback with a new album.

  • Rick had read somewhere that the martini was making a comeback among the hip powerbrokers of the world.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Good luck making a comeback.

    Breaking Barbi (2019)

  • Way to make a comeback.

    Blood Work (2002)

  • How can I make a comeback?

    The inbreaker (1974)

  • And do you think the Dark Ages are making a comeback, David?

  • I was wondering when Freedom Williams would make a comeback!

    Detention (2012)

  • I'm very excited to see this class of smaller bikes making a comeback.

    Blog text (25)

  • They're trying to make a comeback.

    Uncle Drew (2018)

  • Vinyl sure has made a comeback, hasn't it?

    Book Club (2018)

Synonyms

to revive
vsto make a comeback
104 4.2

Make something active or popular again after a time of being forgotten

is about becoming popular or successful again after a period of absence or decline
to rebound
vsto make a comeback
42 4.3

To get back to normal after a problem

emphasizes becoming popular or successful again, not only quick recovery
to come back from the dead
vsto make a comeback
  • Informal
15 5.5

Become successful or active again after a long time away

describes return to popularity or success but more extreme and dramatic
to resurge
vsto make a comeback
1 7.4

To become active again after a slow or quiet time

focuses on regaining popularity or success rather than just activity

Antonyms

to fade
531 1.2

To slowly become less visible, bright, or loud

decline
439 3.9

A gradual loss in amount, quality, or value

How Successful

to make a comeback
33 3.5
to resurge
1 7.4
to return
∞ 1.0
to reappear
70 2.7

Surface Forms

make a comeback infinitive
made a comeback past
made a comeback past participle
making a comeback present participle
makes a comeback third person singular

Morphology

make + a + comeback

The meaning is directly compositional: 'make' (cause/perform) plus 'a comeback' (a renewed return to popularity) yields the sense 'to cause or experience a renewed return to popularity/success'. This follows a standard verb + noun pattern in English and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings.

Etymology

The phrase make a comeback paints the picture of someone who leaves the stage or ring and then comes back to the crowd to do well again. That's why it means 'to become popular or successful again'.