巻(ま)き返(かえ)す

まきかえす
verb (godan, transitive/intransitive)
to make a comeback; to fight back; to recover
1. to make a comeback; to fight back; to recover lost ground
To reverse a losing situation and regain momentum, especially in competitions, business, or struggles.
後半(こうはん)になって巻(ま)き返(かえ)しを図(はか)った。
In the second half, they attempted a comeback.
巻(ま)き返(かえ)しを図(はか)る is a common set phrase.
3点(てん)ビハインドから見事(みごと)に巻(ま)き返(かえ)した。
They made a splendid comeback from being 3 points behind.
業績(ぎょうせき)の悪化(あっか)から巻(ま)き返(かえ)すのは難(むずか)しい。
It's difficult to recover from worsening performance.

CONJUGATION:

  • 巻(ま)き返(かえ)す → 巻(ま)き返(かえ)さない (negative)
  • 巻(ま)き返(かえ)す → 巻(ま)き返(かえ)して (te-form)
  • 巻(ま)き返(かえ)す → 巻(ま)き返(かえ)した (past)

FORMATION:
Compound verb: 巻(ま)く (to wind/roll) + 返(かえ)す (to return)

The image is of rolling back something that was rolled against you.

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 巻(ま)き返(かえ)しを図(はか)る - to attempt a comeback
  • 一気(いっき)に巻(ま)き返(かえ)す - to make a rapid comeback
  • 劣勢(れっせい)を巻(ま)き返(かえ)す - to reverse a disadvantage

NOUN FORM:
巻(ま)き返(かえ)し (makikaeshi) - comeback, counterattack

Related Words

Related: 逆転(ぎゃくてん) (reversal)
core
Added 2026.1.18 22:35 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07000/07006_makikaesu