What Does "Run It Back" Mean? How to Use This Trending Slang

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Find out its meaning in dating, casual convos, & more

Co-authored by Elaine Heredia, BA Reviewed by Kiera Ayres

Last Updated: September 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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"Run It Back" Defined

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In Dating & Relationships

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In Casual Conversation

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In Football

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Takeaway

The phrase "run it back" used to only appear in sports—but like so many old phrases, Gen Z has given it new life. Today, you might see Gen Z posting TikToks about how their ex wants to "run it back" with them. You might also get texts from someone after a hangout asking if you want to "run it back again" next weekend. If you're unsure how to interpret “run it back” (or use it yourself), we've got you covered! Let's dive into the general definition of this trending phrase before we explore its specific meanings in dating and relationships, casual conversation, and football.

"Let's Run It Back" Meaning at a Glance

When someone texts, "Let's run it back," they probably want to repeat, replay, or restart something you did together in the past. In casual conversation, they may be saying they want to hang out again. In dating and relationships, the other person may want to go on another date, hook up, or get back together with you.

Section 1 of 5:

What does "run it back" meaning?

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It's an idiom, an English expression that has a different definition than what the words literally say.^{[1]
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Research source} Up until recently, when Gen Z started using it as slang in text and on TikTok, "run it back" was mainly spoken in a sports context to say, "Let's have another game" or "Show the replay footage."^{[2]
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Expert Source

Kiera Ayres
Test Prep Instructor

Expert Interview} Today, it's used to express a desire to restart an old romantic relationship, go on another date, hook up again, or repeat an activity with friends.

Section 2 of 5:

What "Run It Back" Means in Dating & Relationships

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Guys and girls say, "Run it back" when they want to reunite with an ex. If you broke up with someone and they call or text to say they want to "run it back," it probably means they want to get back together with you. They want to repeat or replay the good times you had when you were in a relationship. This is the most popular way that Gen Z uses this phrase on TikTok (like creator @igigglethenfart in this video).
- Depending on how you currently feel about the other person and why you broke up in the first place, you may or may not want to respond. It's up to you.
- Example text conversation:
  - Person 1: "Hey babe, I miss u. Let's run it back."
  - Person 2: "No way, leave me alone!"
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People may text "run it back" when they want another date. If you just got finished with a date and the person you're seeing texts you, "I had a great time. Let's run it back!" that means they want to get a second date. Basically, they like you and had fun, so they want to recreate those vibes with you on another romantic outing!
- Example text conversation:
  - Person 1: "Hey, I had lots of fun tonight, and you're pretty great. Want to run it back again on Wednesday?"
  - Person 2: "Hey, I had fun, too! I'd like to go out again. Wednesday works for me."
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People might also text "run it back" when they want to hook up again. If you hooked up with someone—meaning you hung out on purpose to have sex—and they text, "Run it back" afterward, it probably means they want another lovemaking session with you.^{[3]
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Research source} They may also be referring to something specific you did during the hookup that they really liked and want you to do again.
- Example text conversation:
  - Person 1: "Last night was incredible. Run it back?"
  - Person 2: "Thx, but I need to rest up tonight. Maybe tomorrow?"

Section 3 of 5:

What It Means in Casual Conversation

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People may say, "Let's run it back" when they want to repeat a fun activity. For example, if you and your friends have a party or hang out someplace and you all have a good time, you might want to tell your friends, "Want to run it back next weekend?" By using this phrase, you're saying you want to do the same activity (or something similar) with the same people in a week (or at some point in the future).
- Example text conversation:
  - Person 1: "Great party, everybody! Run it back same time next week?"
  - Person 2: "I'm down!"
  - Person 3: "Can't wait!"
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You can say, "Run it back" when you want to recall a past conversation. For example, let's say you're arguing with someone, and you want to reference a point they made in a previous conversation. Start by saying, "Let me run it back," or a similar phrase to let the other person know you're about to repeat something they once said to support your side of the argument.
- Example text conversation:
  - Person 1: "I never wanted to get back together with him!"
  - Person 2: "Let's run it back. Last month, you said you missed him."
  - Person 1: "But that doesn't mean I wanted to restart our relationship!"

Section 4 of 5:

What It Means in Football

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"Run it back" in American football means to show footage of a play again. A replay is video footage of a football play that the referees watch to ensure they make the right call.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Kiera Ayres
Test Prep Instructor

Expert Interview} For example, if a player catches the ball close to the endzone and gets tackled, the referees may want to watch the replay to see if the player's knee was down before or after he stuck his hand holding the ball over the endzone line. The replay shows the referees the play from all angles so they can decide if the player made a touchdown.
- This phrase works just as well when talking about other sports, too, such as baseball.
- Example phrases:
  - "Run back the replay footage!"
  - "Let's run it back on the replay."
  - "They're running it back to make the call."

Section 5 of 5:

Final Takeaway

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Say "Run it back" when you want to repeat or restart something. You can use it as a romantic phrase in dating to say you want to go on another date or hook up again. You can also say it in a platonic way to your buddies when you want to hang out and do another fun activity with them in the near future. It's also a helpful phrase to whip out when you're arguing with someone and want to remind them of what they said or did in the past. However you choose to use it, make sure the other person fully understands your intentions!