English to English
verb
- retrace one's course
The hikers got into a storm and had to turn back.
source: WordNet 3.0
- go back to a previous state
We reverted to the old rules.
source: WordNet 3.0
- force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
Drive away potential burglars.
Drive away bad thoughts.
Dispel doubts.
The supermarket had to turn back many disappointed customers.
source: WordNet 3.0
- hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
Arrest the downward trend.
Check the growth of communism in South East Asia.
Contain the rebel movement.
Turn back the tide of communism.
source: WordNet 3.0
- turn inside out or upside down
source: WordNet 3.0
