turn back intransitive verb 1. a.: to stop going forward : refuse to go ahead b.: to go in the reverse direction : return < it was getting late, time to turn back > 2.: to refer to an earlier time or place < turn back to the first page > transitive verb 1.: to drive back or away : cause to return or to reverse direction < refugees were turned back at the frontier > 2.: to stop the advance of : check 3.: to fold back