turn back

turn back

1. To stop moving forward and begin returning to one's point of origin. I think we should turn back—we could be in serious trouble if the weather gets any worse while we're up here. I started walking over to Jennifer to ask her to prom, but I lost my nerve and turned back.
2. To reverse or undo one's course of action. This tax reform bill will fundamentally change the landscape of the economy—if it passes, there's no turning back. After massive protests across every branch of the company, the CEO turned back from his decision to cut employee benefits.
3. To cause someone to stop moving forward and begin returning to their point of origin. A noun or pronoun They turned me back at the door because they said I wasn't dressed formally enough for the gala. Agents at the border began turning back anyone attempting to enter the country.
See also: back, turn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

turn someone or something back

to cause someone or something to stop and go back; to cause someone or something to retreat. The border guards turned us back because we had no passports. They turned back the bus because the bridge was down.
See also: back, turn

turn back (from some place)

to stop one's journey and return. We turned back from the amusement park so we could go home and get the tickets we had forgotten. We turned back at the last minute.
See also: back, turn

turn one's back

 (on someone or something)
1. Lit. to turn one's body so that one's back faces someone or something. I turned my back on the dead horse and walked slowly away. I turned my back on the shouting man and left the room.
2. Fig. to abandon or ignore someone or something. Don't turn your back on your old friends. Bob has a tendency to turn his back on serious problems. This matter needs your attention. Please don't just turn your back.
See also: back, turn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

turn back

1. Reverse one's direction, as in We had to turn back earlier than expected. [First half of 1500s]
2. 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]
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.
See also: back, turn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

turn back

v.
1. To abandon one's way, course, or direction and return: The road became too muddy, and we had to turn back. Once you sign the contract, you cannot turn back.
2. To force someone or something to stop and go back: Our surprise attack turned back the advancing army. The police turned us back at the border because we forgot our passports.
3. To fold something down: Turn back the page's corner to save your place in the book. The tailor turned the edge of the fabric back and made a hem.
See also: back, turn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • back home
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
  • a change of scenery
  • a change of scene
  • at (one's) expense
  • at expense
  • at somebody's expense
  • at someone's expense
  • be remembered as/for something
References in periodicals archive
These buses can turn back at appropriate stations, in order to reduce running time.
Real-Time Integrated Limited-Stop and Short-Turning Bus Control with Stochastic Travel Time
"Sagging therefore occurs, leading to an older appearance." Turn back time: "Gradual, steady weight loss is more beneficial for health, for a longer and more active life and for better skin," advises Dr Lowe.
Why your pillow could be putting years on you; We all know that too much sun and smoking can make you look older but a few seemingly innocent habits might also be speeding up your ageing process..
In addition to connecting children with nature, Turn Back Time has been awarded a mini-grant from Fallon Community Health Plan to promote healthy living for all members of the family.
Turn back time; Farm helps kids connect with nature
Foreign-backed groups seek to turn back the clock," the U.S.
Foreign-backed groups bad for Lebanon: U.S
The desire to turn back seems built in and it is up to the instructor to remove the built-in bias.
The turnback envelope
First was E Wyn Edwards, Ruthin with four year-old Cap who, with a smooth, steady run, lost only 1pt off the first outrun, a clean lift and fetch and pts off the turn back with another 2pts off the drive.
Supreme champs battle it out; sheepdog TRIALS MARKET REPORTS
The Thomson Boeing 757, heading for Cardiff International Airport, was forced to turn back and make an emergency landing in Alicante.
Spanish holiday jet forced to return
The burly Irishman's latest TV venture sees him inviting celebrity guests to join him on his new chat show Turn Back Time.
Celebs look back and laugh with comic Dara; BEST OF THE WEEK
On Sunday (9 October) a Helios Airways flight travelling from Cyprus to Glasgow, UK, was forced to turn back after experiencing technical problems.
Helios Airways aircraft turns back with technical problem
At a get-together with 10 Islamic leaders in Cologne, he stressed their responsibility in the formation of the younger generation, particularly in how that would "turn back the wave of cruel fanaticism that endangers the lives of so many people and hinders progress to world peace." At the same time, Benedict said Christians and Muslims "must seek paths of reconciliation and learn to live with respect for each other's identity."
Pope stresses unity, ecumenism during World Youth Day
As we push through the drifts of sand and start to climb the mountain, we turn back to marvel at the angry beauty of Iceland.
Lost in Iceland: freezing rain, blinding sandstorms, dead sheep, erupting volcanoes and the making of Beowulf & Grendel
If it's not done soon, there will be no turning back, and nothing to turn back to!
Scrap the FTAA: now!
Such grace and mercy are offered here, as God promises to restore a nation that has turned away from God, if only they will repent and turn back to God.
Third Sunday in Lent March 14, 2004
Russian customs officials are reportedly asking Finnish trucks to turn back at the Finnish-Russian border in Lapland by saying that the trucks would be denied entry unless they have valid travel permits for 2004.
Russian customs turns back trucks at Finnish border - report
And so God sings for us, and we are warmed and heartened by the reminder that God's love will be there whenever we turn back for it.
A closer walk with thee: you have to be quiet if you want to wake the baby Jesus in your life. In a noisy, busy world, the silence and solitude of contemplation are essential elements in our Advent search for the newborn kingdom