turn back the hands of time
turn back the hands of time (idiom)
/ˌtɝːn bæk ðə ˈhændz əv taɪm/
Meanings
- To return to an earlier period or situation in life, history, or circumstances.
- To make someone or something seem younger again, especially in health or appearance.
- To restore old traditions, systems, or conditions that existed in the past.
Synonyms: go back in time; reverse the clock; roll back time; relive the past; undo the past.
Example Sentences
- She wished she could turn back the hands of time and avoid the mistake that changed her life.
- After months of training, he felt like exercise had turned back the hands of time on his body.
- The new leadership tried to turn back the hands of time by restoring outdated policies.
Etymology and Origin
The idiom “turn back the hands of time” draws from the mechanical imagery of analog clocks, where the pointers, referred to as hands, move across the face to indicate hours and minutes. This expression metaphorically conveys the desire to reverse the progression of events or return to a previous era, often implying regret or nostalgia for what cannot be undone. Its roots lie in the evolution of timekeeping devices, which transitioned from simple bells to intricate mechanisms with dials and indicators by the late medieval period, allowing for manual adjustments that symbolized altering temporal flow.
Historical Development
Over centuries, phrases involving the manipulation of timepieces have evolved to represent reversion to earlier states. Early figurative uses appeared in the 17th century, depicting deceptive or deliberate setbacks in temporal measurement, such as a false adjustment during periods of prosperity. By the 18th century, the concept extended to practical advice, like delaying preparations by resetting a device to gain more moments. In the 19th century, similar ideas emerged in literature, portraying interference with indicators for personal convenience, gradually shifting toward broader symbolic meanings of undoing past actions.
Country of Emergence
This idiomatic expression first emerged in England, where early literary and practical references to altering time-measuring instruments reflect the cultural and technological context of the region. The phrase’s initial appearances align with British writings, influenced by the spread of mechanical timepieces across Europe but particularly documented in English sources from the early modern era onward.
Earliest Documented Appearance
The specific formulation “turn back the hands of the clock,” a close variant of the idiom, was recorded in 1941 within a narrative work exploring themes of inevitability and regret. In this context, the quotation states: “You can’t turn back the hands of the clock,” emphasizing the impossibility of reversing past decisions. The author, an American mystery novelist, integrated it into a story involving legal and personal consequences, marking its printed debut in that form. Earlier related expressions, however, date back to 1623 in a sermon critiquing illusions of extended fortune.
Variants
- turn the clock back
- turn back time
- roll back time
- reverse the clock
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