turn one's back
The idiom "turn one's back" conveys various forms of rejection, abandonment, or refusal.
Definition
B2General
(figurative)To reject, abandon, or ignore someone or something previously supported or involved with.
Example
- He turned his back on his old friends after becoming successful.
- She turned her back on the project when it became too challenging.
B2General
(figurative)To show unwillingness to accept, engage in, or agree to something.
Example
- Despite the offer, she turned her back on the job opportunity.
- The community turned its back on the proposed changes.
A2Physical
(literal)To physically rotate one's body so that one's back faces someone or something.
Example
- He turned his back on the audience and walked off the stage.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "turn one's back":
turn awayturn one's coatturn backwatch one's backturn againstwalk awaylook over one's shoulderwalk away fromturn asideback awaykeep backwalk backtake a back seatstep backturn up one's noseturn aroundcold shouldergive the go-bysee the back ofstand backback outstepping backturn aboutstand asiderear backgo back onstep asideback offretrace one's stepsrun backturn toclose one's eyesdraw backchange one's tuneon the back footturn againon one's backturn roundrear one's headlook backgo backwardsstay backon someone's backtake one's leavefall back