turn back the clock

turn back the clock

1. Literally, to set the clock to an earlier time. Can you turn back the clock? It's five minutes fast.

2. To revisit, recount, or recreate a time or era from the past. If I could turn back the clock, I would manage my finances better so I could retire at an earlier age. The purpose of this conference is to turn back the clock by analyzing early human remains to gain insight into their way of life.

3. To restore one's youthful appearance, energy, or well-being. Plenty of cosmetics and medications promise to turn back the clock, but I think people should just be readier to embrace the natural aging process. There's no better way to turn back the clock than getting lots of exercise and having a healthy, balanced diet. You can end up looking and feeling years younger!

See also: back, clock, turn

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

turn back the clock

 and turn the clock back

See also: back, clock, turn

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

turn back the clock

return to the past or to a previous way of doing things.

See also: back, clock, turn

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

turn the clock back, to

To return to an earlier way of life; to restore past conditions. This metaphor dates from the nineteenth century and generally represents a vain attempt to return to a past era. “You can’t turn back the hands of the clock,” wrote Erle Stanley Gardner (The Case of the Turning Tide, 1941).

See also: clock, to, turn

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer