1 B1 neutral
To physically reverse a tape, film reel, or mechanical device by winding it in the backward direction.
"She wound the cassette back to the beginning of her favourite song."
separable
wind back
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To move a tape, clock, or similar mechanism backwards; also figuratively, to return to an earlier time or state.
In plain English
To make a tape or clock go backwards, or to imagine going back to an earlier time.
What does "wind back" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To figuratively return to an earlier moment in time, often in memory or in storytelling.
"Wind back thirty years and the city looked completely different."
inseparable
3 B1 neutral
To set a clock or watch to an earlier time, particularly when adjusting for time zone changes or daylight saving.
"Don't forget to wind your clocks back an hour tonight."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To turn a wound (coiled) mechanism backward — fairly transparent for mechanical contexts.
Actually means
To make a tape or clock go backwards, or to imagine going back to an earlier time.
Usage tip
Used literally for cassette tapes, film reels, clocks, and car odometers. Figurative use ('wind back the clock') is common in speech. More common in British and Australian English. American English more often says 'rewind'.
Words that pair with "wind back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tape clock film odometer years memories
How to conjugate "wind back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wind back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
winds back
he/she/it
Past simple
winded back
yesterday
Past participle
winded back
have + pp
-ing form
winding back
continuous
Hear "wind back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "wind back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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