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Glite Dictionary
back into the swing of things

back into the swing of things

5 5.3
To start doing your normal work and activities after a break
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : volver a la normalidad
  • I have realized how much I miss it and how much I want to get back into the swing of things.
  • get back into the swing of things
  • just getting back into the swing of things
  • back into the swing of things this week

Examples

  • She is trying to get back into the swing of things after a long break from exercise.

  • It took me a few days, but I finally feel like I'm back into the swing of things with my routine.

  • To tell you the truth, I just want to get back into the swing of things.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • I told them that classes were just getting back into the swing of things.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Now she needed to get back into the swing of things in the business.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Over the last month, I have been trying to get back into the swing of things.

    Blog text (29)

  • I'm getting back into the swing of things and getting a bit more focused.

    Blog text (11)

  • After the holidays, I quickly got back into the swing of things at work.

Synonyms

to get back on track
vsback into the swing of things
62 3.4

Start working normally again after a problem or distraction

focuses on resuming normal routine rather than correcting direction
to reengage
vsback into the swing of things
4 4.0

Begin being involved again after a break

emphasises rejoining routine life rather than simply becoming involved
in the swing of things
vsback into the swing of things
3 6.8

Being comfortable and taking part easily in an activity

centres on getting back to a normal routine after interruption
back in the groove
vsback into the swing of things
  • Informal
2 7.2

Able to work well again after a break

is about returning to a normal routine after disruption
to get in the groove
vsback into the swing of things
  • Informal
1 6.3

To work smoothly and easily after a short time

is more about resuming everyday routine after inactivity

Antonyms

to disrupt
269 4.4

To interrupt normal activity and cause disorder

How Settled

back into the swing of things
  • Informal
5 5.3

Surface Forms

back into the swing of things main

Morphology

back + into + the + swing + of + thing

The parts 'back' (return) and 'into' (change of state) are transparent and signal returning, and 'swing' can metaphorically mean a rhythm or active period; together they point toward resuming a previous routine. However, the specific collocation 'the swing of things' is idiomatic and relies on a metaphorical sense of 'swing' that may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without prior exposure, so the phrase is only partially compositional.

Etymology

Back into the swing of things comes from the image of a child on a swing who needs a gentle push to start moving again. So, like giving that push to the swing, the phrase means 'returning to your normal routine' after a break.