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turn back

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
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


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? References in classic literature
We've had a rough journey, but it doesn't seem sense to turn back now, does it, with the house in sight?
Turn back, you foolish, soft heart, and I shall say no more about it.
God forbid that we should ever turn back to those times; that's what I say, Jerry.
 
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