[make] a comeback
1
to return to a position of success, influence or popularity after experiencing a decline or setback
The phrase 'make a comeback' originated in sports, where it was used to describe a player or team that was able to recover from a deficit or a period of poor performance and win a game or match. The term 'comeback' was first used in the 1880s to describe a horse that made a late surge to win a race, and it later became commonly used in sports to describe a team or player that was able to come back and win after being behind. In the broader sense, the phrase "make a comeback" suggests that the person or entity in question is able to overcome obstacles, learn from mistakes, and make changes in order to achieve success. It implies a sense of resilience, determination, and perseverance in the face of adversity, and it is often used to describe stories of triumph over adversity.
- Despite being out of the public eye for several years, the singer made a comeback with a new album that received critical acclaim and commercial success.
- The author was able to make a comeback after a series of poorly received books, with a new novel that became a bestseller and earned critical praise.