Phrase guide

double back

verb · 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To retrace one's steps; to go back where one has already gone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • They doubled back in hopes of finding the road again.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

retrace one's course

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The hikers got into a storm and had to turn back

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: backtrack, turn back

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: return

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kääntyä takaisin — Translations
  • Finnish: palata samoja jälkiä — Translations
  • French: revenir sur ses pas — Translations
  • German: kehrtmachen — Translations
  • Korean: 뒤돌아보다 (dwidolaboda) — Translations
  • Māori: kōnumi — Translations
  • Māori: kōnuminumi — Translations
  • Russian: вернуться (vernutʹsja) — Translations