1 A2 neutral
To stop one's journey and return in the direction one came from.
"The weather was so bad that the climbers decided to turn back halfway up the mountain."
inseparable
turn back
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To stop going forward and return in the direction you came from; to prevent someone from proceeding.
In plain English
To stop and go back the way you came, or to make someone else do that.
What does "turn back" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To prevent someone from continuing their journey; to force someone to return.
"Protesters were turned back by police before they could reach the building."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
(figurative) To reverse progress or return to a previous state — often in the phrase 'turn back the clock'.
"You cannot turn back the clock on these social changes."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically turn and retrace one's steps backwards.
Actually means
To stop and go back the way you came, or to make someone else do that.
Usage tip
Often implies that returning is necessary due to an obstacle, danger, or order. 'There is no turning back' is a common idiom meaning a decision or action is irreversible. Also used in the context of border control ('turned back at the border').
Words that pair with "turn back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
border journey point decision forces clock
How to conjugate "turn back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
turn back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turns back
he/she/it
Past simple
turned back
yesterday
Past participle
turned back
have + pp
-ing form
turning back
continuous
Hear "turn back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "turn back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.