definition of
turn back

[1] #1 turn back v. retrace one's course; "The hikers got into a storm and had to turn back". wn

[2] #2 turn back v. go back to a previous state; "We reverted to the old rules". wn

[3] #3 turn back v. force to go away; 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". wn

[4] #4 turn back v. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism". wn

[5] #5 turn back v. turn inside out or upside down. wn