Back Down – English Lyrics

• By: 50 Cent

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
back /bæk/ A1	verb - to move backwards adverb - to or toward a place where one started from noun - the rear part of the human body from the neck to the end of the spine
down /daʊn/ A1	adverb - to or in a lower place or position verb - to swallow or drink adjective - feeling sad or unhappy noun - a period or state of decline
see /siː/ A1	verb - to perceive with the eyes
go /ɡoʊ/ A1	verb - to move or travel
hold /hoʊld/ A1	verb - to have or keep something in your hands
gun /ɡʌn/ A2	noun - a weapon that shoots bullets
boy /bɔɪ/ A1	noun - a male child or young man
thing /θɪŋ/ A1	noun - an object that one cannot or does not want to give a specific name to
kid /kɪd/ A1	noun - a child
success /səkˈses/ B1	noun - the accomplishment of an aim or purpose
hard /hɑːrd/ A2	adjective - difficult adjective - tough, not soft
middle /ˈmɪdl/ A2	noun - the point or part of something that is equally distant from the sides or ends
respect /rɪˈspekt/ B1	noun - due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others
hood /hʊd/ B1	noun - a ghetto or a poor, urban neighborhood
history /ˈhɪstri/ B1	noun - the study of past events
front /frʌnt/ B1	verb - to pretend
game /ɡeɪm/ A1	noun - an activity that one engages in for amusement or sport.
nightmare /ˈnaɪtmeər/ B2	noun - a terrifying dream.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.

Key Grammar Structures

• I'VE BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING TO BLOW

  ➔ Present perfect continuous (have/has + been + V‑ing)

  ➔ The auxiliary **"'VE BEEN"** shows the present perfect continuous.

• IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, 50 DON'T BACK DOWN

  ➔ First conditional (if + present simple, ... + present simple)

  ➔ The clause **"IF YOU LOOK"** uses the present simple to express a real condition.

• YOU CAN BUY CARS BUT YOU CAN'T BUY RESPECT IN THE HOOD

  ➔ Modal verbs (can / can't) for ability and inability

  ➔ The modal **"CAN"** expresses ability, while **"CAN'T"** expresses inability.

• YOU'RE A MYSTERY

  ➔ Contraction of "you are" + linking verb "be" with a predicate noun

  ➔ The contraction **"YOU'RE"** combines "you" + "are".

• NEXT TIME YOU IN THE HOOD AND SEE AN OL' G

  ➔ Zero copula (omission of "are") in informal speech

  ➔ The sentence drops the verb **"are"** after "you" ("you **are** in the hood").

• I AIN'T GONNA TELL NOBODY YOU PUSSY

  ➔ Double negative with colloquial "ain't" + future intention "gonna"

  ➔ The informal negative **"AIN'T"** + **"GONNA"** (going to) creates a strong negation.

• THIS RAP GAME IS ALL FUCKED UP NOW

  ➔ Passive voice (be + past participle) to describe a state

  ➔ The phrase **"IS ALL FUCKED UP"** uses the passive verb "is" + past participle "fucked".

• I'M BACK BETTER THAN EVER

  ➔ Contraction of "I am" + comparative adjective phrase "better than ever"

  ➔ The contraction **"I'M"** stands for "I am" and is followed by the comparative **"BETTER THAN EVER"**.