The word 挽回 is formed by combining two characters that each contribute a vivid action to create a unified meaning. The first character, 挽, carries the core idea of pulling, drawing, or tugging, like pulling on reins. The second, 回, means to return, turn back, or revolve. When fused, the compound paints a picture of physically pulling something back from its current course to make it return to a previous, desired state, thus metaphorically giving the word its meaning of "to retrieve", "to salvage", or "to restore" a situation.