turn the clock back

turn the clock back and turn back the clock 

1. Lit. to set a clock to an earlier time. I have to turn the clocks back each fall. Please turn back the clock.

2. Fig. to try to return to the past. You are not facing up to the future. You are trying to turn the clock back to a time when you were more comfortable. Let us turn back the clock and pretend we are living at the turn of the century—the time that our story takes place.

See also: back, clock, turn