Lexic.us

Definition of Turn back

1. Verb. Retrace one's course. "The hikers got into a storm and had to turn back"

2. Verb. Go back to a previous state. "We reverted to the old rules"

3. Verb. Force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings. "The supermarket had to turn back many disappointed customers"

4. Verb. Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of. "Turn back the tide of communism"

5. Verb. Turn inside out or upside down.

Definition of Turn back

1. Verb. (intransitive) To reverse direction and retrace one's steps. ¹

2. Verb. To return to a previous state of being. ¹

3. Verb. (transitive) To prevent or refuse to allow passage or progress. ¹

4. Verb. (transitive) To adjust to a previous setting. ¹

5. Verb. (transitive) To fold something back; to fold down ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Turn Back

turn a hair turn a loss turn a new leaf turn a nice dime turn a nice dollar turn a nice penny turn a phrase turn a profit turn about turn against

turn and bank indicator turn around turn arounds turn away turn back (current term) turn back the clock turn down turn down ratio turn flukes turn heads

turn in turn in one's grave turn indicator turn inside-out turn into turn into a pumpkin turn loose turn of events

Literary usage of Turn back

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in by John Pinkerton (1814)
"... running after me, and calling out to me to turn back. I flopped until they were all come up ; when they informed me that the King of the ..."

2. The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by American Committee of Revision (1881)
"... I will turn back unto my house 25 whence I came out. Arid when 'he is come, ... turn back ..."

3. The Bookman (1907)
"We find it rather gratifying to turn back to that prediction. Miss Gale has become one of the most ZONA GALE ..."

4. Works by Washington Irving (1895)
"... and a Robbery— Indian Cure for Cowardice—The Despatch Party turn back—Meet Crooks and John Day—Indian Perfidy—Arrival at Astoria. AS the spring opened, ..."

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