Phrase guide

back to front

adj · adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Reversed, with the back now at the front.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The classic VW Beetle is a back to front car, with the engine at the rear.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Turned so that the back is now at the front; the wrong way around.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I was in such a hurry that I put my underpants on back to front.
  • (figuratively, by extension) Of an order or cause of events, misunderstood or misinterpreted.
  • (figuratively, by extension) Of a perspective, reversed or inverted.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

23 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: tərs — reversed
  • Danish: bagvendt — reversed
  • Danish: omvendt — reversed
  • Icelandic: öfugur — reversed
  • Irish: droim ar ais — reversed
  • Norwegian Bokmål: bak fram — reversed
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: bak fram — reversed
  • Polish: tył na przód — reversed
  • Scottish Gaelic: cùlaibh air a’ bheulaibh — reversed
  • Spanish: al revés — reversed
  • Spanish: prepóstero — reversed
  • Swedish: bak och fram — reversed
  • Swedish: bakvänt — reversed
  • Welsh: tu ôl ymlaen — reversed
  • French: sens devant derrière — turned so that the back is now at the front
  • French: à l'envers — turned so that the back is now at the front
  • Polish: tył na przód — turned so that the back is now at the front
  • Russian: за́дом наперёд (zádom naperjód) — turned so that the back is now at the front
  • Scottish Gaelic: cùlaibh air a' bheulaibh — turned so that the back is now at the front
  • Spanish: al revés — turned so that the back is now at the front
  • Spanish: prepósteramente — turned so that the back is now at the front
  • Swedish: bak och fram — turned so that the back is now at the front
  • Ukrainian: за́дом напере́д (zádom naperéd) — turned so that the back is now at the front