roll back the years

roll back the years

1. To perform at an exceptionally high level despite no longer being young and in one's prime. (Used especially in reference to athletes.) O'Connor, playing his 15th championship match in this league, rolled back the years and stood out as one of the best players on the pitch. Will the retired skater, seeking a gold medal after all this time, be able to roll back the years and keep step with the competition?
2. To induce a sense or state of nostalgia; to be reminiscent of or make people think about the past. Wow, those bell-bottom pants you're wearing really roll back the years to the 1970s. Hearing this song again rolls back the years to a time when I was young and carefree.
See also: back, roll, year
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • shoot the lights out
  • a whale of a
  • rivet counter
  • important
  • (important) milestone in (one's) life
  • milestone
  • milestone in life
  • Mary Sue
  • in the slow lane
  • caviar to the general
References in periodicals archive
The inaugural AFC Bridgnorth Spartans Grey Roots tournament, featuring parents and coaches from the club, saw golden oldies roll back the years at Crown Meadow on Saturday.
Golden oldies roll back the years to lift the cup
MATT CLARKE is looking to roll back the years for the 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth at Rochdale this afternoon.
MATT ON ROLL
THE NEW ONE may roll back the years and win a second Betway Aintree Hurdle (3.25pm) on the opening day of the 2018 Randox Health Grand National Festival.
New One to roll back years
CLUBBERS can roll back the years tomorrow night when a new club celebrates a famous venue which put Coventry on the map.
New club marks 25 years of the Eclipse; NIGHTLIFE
Dubliner Ken Doherty will roll back the years against fellow veteran Tony Drago, while Leo Fernandez takes on Scot John Higgins, whilst Fergal O'Brien plays Malaysia's Thor Chuan Leong and David Morris meets Michael Georgiou.
TOUGH TASK; SNOOKER
A BE BE BE BE BEAU AU AU AU AU AUTY TY TY TY TY TY TY s l al al al alon on on on in To To k yko reckons A BEAUTY salon in Toyko reckons clients can roll back the years by putting snails on their faces.
FANCY SHELLING OUT ON LATEST BEAUTY CRAZE?
SOLIHULL Moors will aim to roll back the years with a reunion of players and officials from both Moor Green and Solihull Borough.
It's the Moors the merrier.
Choice 10 YEARS YOUNGER: THE CHALLENGE Channel 4, 5pm In each episode of this new, revamped series, Myleene Klass meets two women with a shared goal: to roll back the years. Sue Campbell and Dot Johnson are the first subjects attempting to lose a few years.
Choice
The former England captain will roll back the years when he pulls on the famous Three Lions jersey aiming to raise pounds 1m for charity.
Shearer returns
"Perhaps he's trying to roll back the years," The Daily Star quoted an onlooker as saying.
Robbie Williams 'rolls back years' with chestnut-coloured locks
The team used all the tricks of the trade to roll back the years, and, 18 months on, the women talk about how the show changed their lives.
10 Years Younger: The Challenge Channel 4, 8pm; THURSDAY 2 April 2009
FORMER pupils and teachers from Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, are being invited to roll back the years at a reunion.
IN BRIEF: Roll back the school days
David Coulthard aims to roll back the years in this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
MOTOR RACING: Coulthard bid for Monaco victory
The golden oldie continued to roll back the years in Cardiff yesterday by thumping Marco Fu 6-3 in the Welsh Open.
Snooker: Ice man Davis in final fling
PONTYPRIDD legend Dale McIntosh is looking to roll back the years and make it a night to remember at Sardis Road, writes Gareth Griffiths.
Rugby Union: Chief is fired up for cup decider