Phrase guide

turn one's back

verb · 3 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 cease paying attention.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • As soon as I turned my back, he started writing on the wall.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To forsake, to abandon; to ignore.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, intransitive

Examples

  • He got off to a strong start, only to turn his back on the project two months later.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To turn away, as when fleeing or in contempt.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: de rug toekeren — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Finnish: kääntää selkänsä — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • French: tourner le dos — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Hungarian: hátat fordít — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Italian: voltare le spalle — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Italian: volgere le spalle — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Polish: odwracać się — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Polish: odwrócić się — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Spanish: dar la espalda — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Ukrainian: відверта́тися (vidvertátysja) — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore
  • Ukrainian: відверну́тися (vidvernútysja) — to forsake, to abandon; to ignore