double back

British  

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to go back in the opposite direction (esp in the phrase double back on one's tracks )

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double back Idioms  

1. Reverse one's course, go back the way one has come. For example, The officer lost the suspect, who had doubled back on him. This term, at first put simply as to double, is used largely to describe a way of evading pursuit. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

The triplets live on the other side of the neighborhood, so we double back past the homes we’ve already hit.

From Literature

Moose ran forward until the leash was taut and then doubled back, as if urging them to hurry.

From Literature

Coal waited a few seconds in case they doubled back.

From Literature

I act like I’m heading out of the park on a trail, but then double back once I’m out of his line of sight.

From Literature

The seven-hour drive was stretched when they doubled back at the California border after gazing upon the state’s abhorrent gas prices.

From Los Angeles Times