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.
“They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is no turning back,” he added.
From Barron's
Some planes that had already taken off were forced to turn back.
From BBC
Bangladesh has already curtailed electricity use, including closing universities, while other countries in Asia are turning back to coal, which becomes more competitive as LNG prices rise.
From Barron's
She managed to flee with her two cats, but when she turned back she saw smoke rising above the complex.
From Barron's
If they do turn back to Fannie-Freddie reform, the challenges to pulling off an offering will be the same as they’ve always been.
From Barron's
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.
