ALL meanings of turn back
turn back
T t - noun turn back a contest or round; a bout, as in wrestling. 1
- idioms turn back at every turn, in every case or instance; constantly: We met with kindness at every turn. 1
- idioms turn back by turns, one after another; in rotation or succession; alternately: They did their shopping and cleaning by turns. 1
- idioms turn back hand's turn, a period or piece of work: It won't be necessary for you to do a hand's turn yourself, but rather to supervise. 1
- idioms turn back in turn, in due order of succession: Each generation in turn must grapple with the same basic problems. 1
- idioms turn back on the turn, on the verge or in the process of turning; changing: She said she hoped to be alive to see the century on the turn. 1
- idioms turn back out of turn, not in the correct succession; out of proper order. at an unsuitable time; imprudently; indiscreetly: He spoke out of turn and destroyed the cordial atmosphere of the meeting. 1
- idioms turn back take turns, to succeed one another in order; rotate; alternate: They took turns walking the dog. 1
- idioms turn back to a turn, to just the proper degree; to perfection: The steak was done to a turn. 1
- idioms turn back turn and turn about, by turns: They fought the fire, turn and turn about, until daybreak. 1
- idioms turn back turn one's hand to. hand (def 89). 1
- idioms turn back turn the tables. table (def 24). 1
- idioms turn back turn the tide. tide1 (def 16). 1
- phrasal verb turn back If you turn back or if someone turns you back when you are going somewhere, you change direction and go towards where you started from. 0
- phrasal verb turn back If you cannot turn back, you cannot change your plans and decide not to do something, because the action you have already taken makes it impossible. 0