English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Turn the clock back
Meaning
The idiom "turn the clock back" means to go back to a previous, better or more enjoyable time. It can also refer to reversing a negative situation or undoing a mistake. In a metaphorical sense, it means revisiting a past moment and reliving it, often with nostalgia.
Usage
- I wish I could turn the clock back and spend more time with my grandparents before they passed away.
- After months of struggling with depression, she finally started seeing a therapist and slowly but surely, her life began to turn around.
- The manager apologized for the mistake and promised to fix it immediately; he wanted to turn the clock back and undo the error before it caused any more problems.
- She had always longed to travel the world, and when she finally got the opportunity, she realized that her dream had come true - time had turned back for her.
- The city was transformed by a massive earthquake, and after months of rebuilding, people started to wonder if they could turn the clock back and go back to how things were before.
Roots and History
The idiom "turn the clock back" dates back to at least the early 20th century and is believed to have originated in the United States. The earliest known use of the phrase can be traced back to a book published in 1905 called "English as She Talks" by Walter D. Wiggin. In the book, he wrote: "I long sometimes to turn the clock back several years and go again into the days when life was fresh and new, when love was young, and all the world seemed a wonderful place." Over time, the phrase has taken on different meanings and is now commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often used to express nostalgia or longing for a simpler time.
Synonyms in English
- "Go back in time"
- "Relive the past"
- "Return to the past"
- "Revisit a memory"
- "Reunite with loved ones"
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: "Volver en tiempo"
- French: "Reverser le temps"
- Italian: "Tornare indietro"
- German: "Zurückkehren"
- Japanese: "戻る" (tsuru)