Phrase guide

turn back the clock

verb · 1 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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1

verb

Meaning 1

To return to a previous state.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, idiomatic

Examples

  • We had a terrible year so we agreed to turn back the clock and go on as if it hadn't happened.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 開倒車 /开倒车 (hoi1 dou3 ce1) — return to a previous state
  • Chinese: 開倒車 /开倒车 (khui-tó-chhia) — return to a previous state
  • Chinese Mandarin: 開倒車 /开倒车 (kāidàochē) — return to a previous state
  • Chinese Mandarin: 讓時光倒流 /让时光倒流 (ràng shíguāng dàoliú) — return to a previous state
  • Faroese: venda tímanum aftur — return to a previous state
  • Finnish: unohtaa menneet — return to a previous state
  • French: remonter le temps — return to a previous state
  • Italian: tornare indietro nel tempo — return to a previous state
  • Portuguese: voltar no tempo — return to a previous state
  • Spanish: volver el tiempo atrás — return to a previous state