Turn back
verb
To return, go back to the place you came from.
After seeing the traffic, she decided to turn back and take the train instead.
Often appears as...
- turn back home
- turn back on the road
verb
To reverse direction.
The ship was forced to turn back because of the storm.
Often appears as...
- turn back to shore
- turn back on path
verb
To stop, or to make somebody/something stop, moving forward.
The police turned back the crowd that was approaching the crime scene.
Often appears as...
- turn back the crowd
- turn back protesters
verb
To change a page in a book, or to fold part of it so that it touches the next page.
She turns back the corners of the pages in her favorite books.
Often appears as...
- turn back a page
- turn back the cover
verb
To set a knob, dial, or switch on a device to a lower setting.
You should turn back the thermostat at night to save energy.
Often appears as...
- turn back the thermostat
- turn back the volume
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To return, go back to the place you came from.
After seeing the traffic, she decided to turn back and take the train instead.
Often appears as...
- turn back home
- turn back on the road
verb
To reverse direction.
The ship was forced to turn back because of the storm.
Often appears as...
- turn back to shore
- turn back on path
verb
To stop, or to make somebody/something stop, moving forward.
The police turned back the crowd that was approaching the crime scene.
Often appears as...
- turn back the crowd
- turn back protesters
verb
To change a page in a book, or to fold part of it so that it touches the next page.
She turns back the corners of the pages in her favorite books.
Often appears as...
- turn back a page
- turn back the cover
verb
To set a knob, dial, or switch on a device to a lower setting.
You should turn back the thermostat at night to save energy.
Often appears as...
- turn back the thermostat
- turn back the volume
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Change Plans
Used when someone alters their plans to return to a previous location due to unexpected circumstances.
They had to turn back after the road closure.
Pro Tip 2/2Immediate Action
Implies an abrupt decision to go back, often for urgent reasons.
Upon hearing the news, we had to turn back immediately.
Pro Tip 1/2Change Plans
Used when someone alters their plans to return to a previous location due to unexpected circumstances.
They had to turn back after the road closure.
Pro Tip 2/2Immediate Action
Implies an abrupt decision to go back, often for urgent reasons.
Upon hearing the news, we had to turn back immediately.
Pro Tip 1/2Change Plans
Used when someone alters their plans to return to a previous location due to unexpected circumstances.
They had to turn back after the road closure.
Pro Tip 2/2Immediate Action
Implies an abrupt decision to go back, often for urgent reasons.
Upon hearing the news, we had to turn back immediately.
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