double back
Present Participle
doubling back
Past Tense
doubled back
Past Participle
doubled back
1
to reverse one's direction and return along the same route, often to retrace one's steps or evade pursuers
- Realizing they had taken the wrong path, the hikers had to double back to find the correct trail.
- The suspect attempted to escape by doubling back through the alleys, trying to lose the pursuing officers.
- After reaching a dead end, the group had no choice but to double back and find an alternate route.
- To retrieve the misplaced keys, she had to double back to the coffee shop where she last remembered having them.
- The runners decided to double back during the race to help a teammate who had fallen behind.