phrasal verb / idiom · academic
turn the clock back
UK/tɜːn ðə klɒk bæk/US/tɜrn ðə klɑk bæk/turn the CLOCK BACK
to try to return to an earlier time or situation; to reverse recent changes
Examples
“Policy makers cannot simply turn the clock back to the pre‑industrial era.”
“We can't turn the clock back on climate change; we must adapt.”
“Attempts to turn the clock back on social reform met strong resistance.”
Band 8 sentence
“While nostalgia tempts some to turn the clock back, thoughtful policy must focus on realistic, evidence‑based reforms.”
Collocations
- turn the clock back on
- can't/couldn't turn the clock back
Word family
Common mistakes
turn back the clock→turn the clock back
turn the clock backwards→turn the clock back
Say it for a higher band
5go back→6reverse changes→7+turn the clock back
Synonyms
reverse changes
Easily confused
reverse
“The government reversed its decision after the outcry.”
Related words
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