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Turn Back

What Does "Turn Back" Mean?

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"Turn back" is an English idiom. It means "to reverse direction and return to a previous location or starting point."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "turn back" used in a sentence:
  • They had to turn back because they realized they had left their passports at the hotel.
  • Due to the adverse weather conditions, the climbers decided to turn back before reaching the summit.
  • He wished he could turn back time and make a different decision in that critical moment.
meaning for turn back

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Turn Back" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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