巻き返す

• Reading: まきかえす
• Romaji: makikaesu
• Kanji breakdown: 巻 (kan/maki) — roll, wind; 返 (hen/kaeshi) — return, reverse
• Pronunciation: /ma.ki.ka.e.sɯ/

Meaning

To make a comeback; to rally; to reverse a disadvantage and regain lost ground.

A Group 1 (godan) verb combining 巻き (from 巻く, to wind or roll) and 返す (to reverse or return). The image is of winding back something that had unravelled, suggesting a forceful recovery. Frequently used in sports, business, and politics to describe a situation where a losing party mounts a strong reversal.

Examples

1. 後半戦で猛攻を仕掛け、相手の大量リードを巻き返した。 They launched a fierce offensive in the second half and reversed the opponent's massive lead.
2. 業績不振に陥った企業が新製品の投入で市場を巻き返そうとしている。 A company that had fallen into poor performance is trying to make a comeback in the market by launching a new product.
3. 選挙戦終盤に劣勢だった候補者が支持者の熱意で巻き返しを見せた。 The candidate who was trailing in the final stretch of the election showed a comeback thanks to the enthusiasm of supporters.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, business, politics, competition

Tone: energetic

Origin & History

Compound of 巻き (from 巻く — to wind, roll back) and 返す (to reverse, return). The literal sense of rewinding something captures the idea of reversing an adverse situation through determined effort.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes