turn back

1. 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]

2. Reverse one's direction, as in We had to turn back earlier than expected . [First half of 1500s]

3. 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

After the war ended in 1918, Ms Sandes was said to have struggled to turn back to normal life in England.

From BBC

As I walked back to my car, I turned back for one last look at De León.

From Los Angeles Times

In less than a year, 35 lost acres had been recovered and turned back into a park.

From Los Angeles Times

But in the longer term, it is not clear if the new president will turn back the clock for coal, oil and gas, or curtail the growth of sustainable energy sources.

From BBC

As he walked away, one of his staffers turned back to ask, “Does that mean you’re voting for us?”

From Salon

Related Words

• acknowledge
• act
• answer
• behave
• counter
• feel
• perform
• proceed
• reply
• revert