B2idiomtimeIELTS-friendly
turn back the clock
USUK
to return to an earlier time, or make things the way they were before
Often with 'If I could…' to talk about regrets. 'Turn the clock back' is also common.
In context
If I could turn back the clock, I would study harder at school.
Critics say the new law turns back the clock on women's rights by thirty years.
More idioms about time
- a blast from the pastsomething or someone that suddenly reminds you of an earlier time
- a long time comingif something is a long time coming, people have waited a long time for it
- a matter of timecertain to happen, although you do not know exactly when
- a race against timea situation where you must hurry to finish before time runs out
- a sign of the timessomething that shows how society is now, often in a bad way