Meaning of turn back in English

1. Pronunciation

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1. Verb

   turn back

   Definitions

   1. retrace one's course

   Examples

   • « The hikers got into a storm and had to turn back »
2. 2. go back to a previous state

   Examples

   • « We reverted to the old rules »
3. 3. force to go away

   Examples

   • « 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 »
4. 4. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy

   Examples

   • « check the expansion or influence of »
   • « Arrest the downward trend »
   • « Check the growth of communism in Sout East Asia »
   • « Contain the rebel movement »
   • « Turn back the tide of communism »