turn back
Idioms-
Reverse one's direction, as in We had to turn back earlier than expected . [First half of 1500s]
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Drive someone back or away, as in They turned back anyone who didn't have an invitation , or Our forces soon turned back the enemy . [First half of 1500s]
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Fold down, as in Turn back the page you're on to keep your place in the magazine . [Second half of 1800s] Also see turn one's back on .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Canadian province said that it was permanently moving to year-round daylight saving time in March and would not turn back the clocks to standard time in November.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
"I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!"
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
On Thursday, the Revolutionary Guard said on its official Telegram channel that three tankers using the southern route sanctioned by the International Maritime Organization were ordered to turn back.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Iranian authorities ordered at least three oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz to turn back, and two additional ships appeared to reverse course as well, maritime intelligence company Windward said Thursday.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026
I turn back up the hill and make my way to the pickup.
From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
