claw back
phrasal verbclaw something back
- to get something back that you have lost, usually by using a lot of effort
- The company is trying to claw back its share of the market.
- Newcastle managed to claw a goal back.
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- (of a government) to get back money that has been paid to people, usually by taxing them
- The Chancellor is expected to claw back £2.8 billion in the budget.