turn back the clock

turn back the clock

1. Literally, to set the clock to an earlier time. Can you turn back the clock? It's five minutes fast.
2. To revisit, recount, or recreate a time or era from the past. If I could turn back the clock, I would manage my finances better so I could retire at an earlier age. The purpose of this conference is to turn back the clock by analyzing early human remains to gain insight into their way of life.
See also: back, clock, turn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

turn back the clock

 and turn the clock back
See also: back, clock, turn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

turn back the clock

return to the past or to a previous way of doing things.
See also: back, clock, turn
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

turn the clock back, to

To return to an earlier way of life; to restore past conditions. This metaphor dates from the nineteenth century and generally represents a vain attempt to return to a past era. “You can’t turn back the hands of the clock,” wrote Erle Stanley Gardner (The Case of the Turning Tide, 1941).
See also: clock, turn
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • turn the clock back, to
  • turn the/(one's) clock(s) forward
  • set the/(one's) clock(s) forward
  • turn the clock back
  • turn the/(one's) clock(s) back
  • set the/(one's) clock(s) back
  • put the/(one's) clock(s) forward
  • move the/(one's) clock(s) forward
  • put the/(one's) clock(s) back
  • put/turn the clock back
References in periodicals archive
Among the attractions are the Red Devils Free-fall Parachute Team, the Royal Signals White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team and for the first time, Gothic Renaissance, a team of historic re-enactors who will turn back the clock 200 years to the time of Napoleon and the Peninsular War.
Military show gets set for Red Devils
Best are hard-rock hits Blackout and Bad Boys Running Wild, which blazed a trail for The Darkness, but more recent attempts to turn back the clock, such as Mysterious, pale by comparison.
CD REVIEW: The Platinum Collection (EMI); SCORPIONS
Popular Paddy Folan, the Huddersfield super-featherweight who found the lure of the ring too tempting to retire, will turn back the clock on Sunday, March 6.
Folan to turn back time in Shaw bout
Not that he wants to turn back the clock. "Sometimes you have to spend some time on your own to find out who you are and what you really want," says Child, who recently ended a ten-year relationship.
THE MAN behind the man
CHAMPION horseman Oliver Skeete yesterday warned the BNP is trying to turn back the clock on racism as our Hope not Hate bus reached the Midlands.
SKEETE: NEVER GO BACK TO DARK DAYS OF HATE; Horse star backs bus
MARK HUGHESwants Blackburn to turn back the clock on and off the pitch when they take on Greek side Larissa tonight.
Football: BLACKBURN V LARISSA; UEFA CUP CRUNCH NIGHT..
HE didn't exactly turn back the clock, but Duncan Ferguson showed against Charlton that his presence alone is enough to influence a match.
Letter: IT'S ALL KICKING OFF; Blues fans question the failure to sign striker Sutton
A breakdancing workshop for youngsters in Morpeth Market Place at the weekend gave 44-year-old Mr Dunbar a chance to turn back the clock and he readily grabbed it donning his T-shirt and trainers to body-pop, moonwalk and backspin.
Chief dances in the street
Merson cannot turn back the clock, though, and is having to reap the consequences of hyping his team up and raising the expectations of the fans.
SOCCER: I SPOKE TOO SOON - PAUL
PENSIONERS gathered to turn back the clock and remember the 1940s.
Flying the flag for the 40s
The Brazilian, who completed his move to hometown club Palmeiras, said: 'If I could turn back the clock then I would never have signed for Celtic.
Football: Juninho blast
He said: ``I have seen a few tapes from that World Cup since and I find it hard to watch them, I just cannot turn back the clock and be that sort of player again.''
Gazza tears
MIDDLE-AGED people can turn back the clock and recapture their lost youth with just a few hours of exercise a week, say experts.
Keep fit to stay young
TURN BACK THE CLOCK: The priciest fruits tend to be summer berries, so invest in a couple of black-currant or raspberry bushes.
Your Life: Make-do and mend.. and save yourself a fortune; The wartime motto "make-do and mend" is good advice again these days - and the good news is, you can save hundreds of pounds by stealing Gran's household tips
ALEX Ferguson is hoping to turn back the clock to some of Manchester United's most successful defensive years following the signing of French World Cup star Laurent Blanc.
Fergie's Blanc faith