turn back
Idioms-
Reverse one's direction, as in We had to turn back earlier than expected . [First half of 1500s]
-
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]
-
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.
"If I could turn back the clock, of course, I would take a different decision."
From BBC • May 29, 2026
Before I weigh in on this as a mathematician, let’s turn back to Stanford.
From Slate • May 25, 2026
Well, one could ask for James to turn back time, but he’s already done that this spring.
From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026
“Even if there is a good resolution, this isn’t a faucet that can turn back on. We don’t have a peace button you can push to restart those wells.”
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
Most would trade for western goods at a nice profit and turn back at Kashgar.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
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.
