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look back

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To think about things that happened in the past, or to turn your head to look behind you.

Literal meaning: To physically turn your head and direct your eyes toward what is behind you.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To think about the past and consider what has happened.

"Looking back, I wish I had spent more time with my family when I was younger."

"I have always tried to look back on my time in public service with pride and satisfaction."

Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral

To literally turn your head to look at what is behind you.

"She looked back over her shoulder and saw that he was still following her."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

In the phrase 'never look back': to continue forward successfully after a change, without regret.

"She moved to Paris at 30 and never looked back — her career flourished there."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The figurative sense (reflecting on the past) is very common in speeches, interviews, and reflective writing. Used with 'on' when specifying what is being reflected on: 'look back on my childhood'. The phrase 'never look back' means to move forward without regret after a positive change.

Commonly used with

past career years decision life history

Forms

Base
look back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
looks back
he/she/it
Past simple
looked back
yesterday
Past participle
looked back
have + pp
-ing form
looking back
continuous

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