turn back

verb

turned back; turning back; turns back

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go in the reverse direction

b

: to stop going forward

2

: to refer to an earlier time or place

transitive verb

1

: to drive back or away

2

: to stop the advance of

3

: to fold back

4

: give back, return

Phrases

turn back the clock

: to revert to or remind of a condition existing in the past

Synonyms

• beat off
• fend (off)
• rebut
• repel
• repulse
• stave off
• turn away

Examples of turn back in a Sentence

a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire

Recent Examples on the Web

The timeline got all Tarantino-ed during a 12-2 loss to the Phillies in which the Mets turned back the clock with each successive inning. —Jerry Beach, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024

Trump has even floated the idea of turning back time to the nineteenth century by eliminating the personal income tax and relying on tariffs for all federal revenue. —Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is turning back time to a huge milestone — that was almost dampened by a serious wardrobe malfunction! —Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024

A day after the second assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee turned back to politics after praising law enforcement and thanking Americans for their good wishes. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

turn back

verb

1

: to go in the reverse direction : return

turned back for home

2

: to stop the advance of : check

turned back the enemy