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hark back

B2 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To go back to an older idea, time, or way of doing things.

Literal meaning: In fox hunting, to hark (listen) and go back along the trail — for hounds to retrace their steps to relocate a scent.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To remind people of something from the past; to be reminiscent of an earlier time or style.

"The band's new album harks back to the classic rock sound of the 1970s."

"The design harks back to an era when quality and craftsmanship mattered above all."

— Common usage in design and culture journalism (representative example)
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 idiomatic formal

To refer deliberately to an earlier time, idea, or tradition as a basis or justification.

"The politician's speech harked back to the founding principles of the nation."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Always followed by 'to'. Originally a hunting term meaning for dogs to retrace their steps to find a lost scent. The hunting origin is now forgotten by most speakers. Common in journalism and formal writing. Used both to mean 'to remind us of the past' and 'to refer deliberately to the past'.

Commonly used with

earlier era simpler times tradition original golden age roots

Forms

Base
hark back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
harks back
he/she/it
Past simple
harked back
yesterday
Past participle
harked back
have + pp
-ing form
harking back
continuous

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