turn back: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘turn back’ mean?
The idiom "turn back" means to go back or reverse direction. It is commonly used to express the action of returning to a previous location or reversing a decision or action.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "wind back the clock" means to go back to a previous time or to reverse the effects of time in order to recreate a past situation or feeling.
The idiom "turn of events" refers to an unexpected change or shift in a situation or sequence of events.
The idiom "turn of events" describes an unexpected or significant change in a situation or sequence of events. It denotes a shift in circumstances that alters the outcome or course of action in a surprising or unforeseen way. This widely recognized idiom is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts.
The idiom "turn into" means to undergo a transformation or change, typically resulting in becoming something else or adopting a different form or state.
The idiom "turn into" is a widely used expression in English. It consists of the base verb "turn" combined with the preposition/adverb "into." This idiom has several meanings, demonstrating its versatility in daily usage.
The idiom "turn in" means to go to bed or to go to sleep.
The idiom "turn heads" means to attract attention or make people notice and look at someone or something because of their exceptional appearance or behavior.
One of the well-known expressions in the English language is "turn heads." This phrase means that something or someone garners attention or catches people's gaze. It is commonly used to describe something or someone that stands out due to their appearance, actions, or qualities.
The idiom "turn down" means to reject or refuse something, usually an offer or invitation.
The idiom "turn back the clock" means to go back in time, undoing or reversing the effects of previous actions or events.
The idiom "turn a trick" refers to the act of performing a task or solving a problem, often in a clever or skillful way. It can also have a negative connotation, implying the use of deception or manipulation to achieve a desired outcome.
When used as an idiom, "turn around" means to change direction, to reverse a situation, or to make a significant improvement in a short amount of time.
The idiom "turn a phrase" means to skillfully express or articulate something in a clever or interesting way, often using words and language creatively. It refers to the ability to produce witty, memorable, or powerful sentences or phrases.
Inverted Course
The idiom "turn back" is a commonly used expression in the English language. It is often used to express the act of reversing direction or returning to a previous position or state. The origins of this idiom can be found in physically turning oneself or something around and going back the way one came.
One way to use the idiom "turn back" is when someone realizes they have gone in the wrong direction while traveling. In this situation, they may say, "I need to turn around" or "I need to turn back." This conveys the idea of retracing one's steps or reversing the direction in order to correct a mistaken path.
The idiom "turn back" can also be used when someone is considering a decision or course of action. For example, they may say, "I think I need to turn back on this idea" or "I need to turn back on my initial plan." This usage highlights the concept of reconsidering or changing one's mind about a previous thought or plan.
The idiom "turn back" can also be used in the sense of reversing time or returning to a previous point in history. For instance, when someone says, "We need to turn back the clock," they are expressing a desire to go back to a previous time or state. This phrase can be used metaphorically to suggest a longing for a simpler or better time.
Another related idiom is "double back," which can be used when someone reverses their direction twice. For example, if someone is jogging and realizes they left something behind, they may say, "I need to double back and get it." This expresses the act of turning around and going back a second time.
The idiom "turn back" can also be related to the phrase "back in," which means going back to an earlier time or state. For example, if someone says, "Back in the day, things were different," they are referring to a previous period of time. This phrase can be used nostalgically or to contrast the past with the present.
Another related idiom is "row back," which means to reverse a previous statement or position. For instance, if someone says something controversial and then later retracts it, they can be said to "row back" on their statement. This conveys the concept of changing one's position or opinion.
When examining the etymology of the idiom "turn back," it is important to note that it is composed of the verb "turn" and the adverb "back." The word "turn" can be traced back to Old English origins, meaning "to turn," while "back" has roots in Old Norse and Middle English, derived from the Proto-Germanic word "bakam." The combination of these words gives rise to the idiomatic expression "turn back."
The idiom "turn back" is widely used in English to convey the act of reversing direction or returning to a previous position or state. It can be used in the context of travel, decision-making, or even metaphorically to express a change in attitude or behavior. The etymology of the idiom can be traced back to Old English and Proto-Germanic roots. It is important to remember that idioms, such as "turn back," have meanings that cannot always be deduced from the individual words that make up the phrase. This idiom carries a sense of completeness and closure, while also allowing for variations in its usage and interpretation.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "turn back" can be used:
- I realized I had forgotten my keys, so I had to turn back to the house before leaving.
- Despite the challenging weather conditions, the climbers refused to turn back and continued their ascent.
- When the road became impassable due to a fallen tree, we had no choice but to turn back and find an alternate route.
More "Reverse" idioms
We missed the mark - nothing found.