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Phrase(s): turn one’s back (on someone or something)
1. Lit. to turn one’s body so that one’s back faces someone or something. • I turned my back on the dead horse and walked slowly away. • I turned my back on the shouting man and left the room. 2. Fig. to abandon or ignore someone or something. • Don’t turn your back on your old friends. • Bob has a tendency to turn his back on serious problems. • This matter needs your attention. Please don’t just turn your back., Phrase(s): turn someone or something back
to cause someone or something to stop and go back; to cause someone or something to retreat. • The border guards turned us back because we had no passports. • They turned back the bus because the bridge was down., Phrase(s): turn back (from some place)
to stop one’s journey and return. • We turned back from the amusement park so we could go home and get the tickets we had forgotten. • We turned back at the last minute.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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1. Reverse one's direction, as in We had to turn back earlier than expected. [First half of 1500s] 2. Drive someone back or away, as in They turned back anyone who didn't have an invitation, or Our forces soon turned back the enemy. [First half of 1500s] 3. Fold down, as in Turn back the page you're on to keep your place in the magazine. [Second half of 1800s] Also see TURN ONE'S BACK ON.
American Heritage Idioms