backwards

backwards
backwards [{{t}}'bækwədz]
1 adverb
(a) (towards the rear) en arrière;
∎ also {{}}figurative{{}} a step backwards un pas en arrière;
∎ I fell backwards je suis tombé en arrière ou à la renverse
(b) (towards the past) en arrière, vers le passé;
∎ looking backwards in time en remontant dans le temps
(c) (with the back foremost)
∎ to walk backwards marcher à reculons;
∎ you've got your sweater on backwards tu as mis ton pull à l'envers ou devant derrière
(d) (in reverse) à l'envers;
∎ now say it backwards dis-le à l'envers maintenant
(e) (thoroughly) à fond, sur le bout des doigts;
∎ she knows her subject backwards elle connaît son sujet sur le bout des doigts
2 backwards and forwards adverb
∎ to go backwards and forwards (person) aller et venir; (machine, piston) faire un mouvement de va-et-vient; (pendulum) osciller;
∎ we walked backwards and forwards along the beach nous avons marché de long en large sur la plage;
∎ she goes backwards and forwards between London and Paris elle fait la navette entre Londres et Paris

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  • backwards — 1510s, from BACKWARD (Cf. backward) with adverbial genitive. Figurative phrase bend over backwards is recorded from 1901 …   Etymology dictionary

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  • backwards — [[t]bæ̱kwə(r)dz[/t]] (in AM, use backward) 1) ADV: ADV after v If you move or look backwards, you move or look in the direction that your back is facing. The diver flipped over backwards into the water... He took two steps backward... Bess… …   English dictionary

  • backwards */*/ — UK [ˈbækwə(r)dz] / US [ˈbækwərdz] adjective, adverb Summary: Backwards can be used in the following ways: as an adverb: I stepped backwards. more rarely as an adjective: a backwards step 1) if you move or look backwards, you move or look in the… …   English dictionary

  • backwards — back|wards S2 [ˈbækwədz US wərdz] adv also backward [ wəd US wərd] AmE 1.) in the direction that is behind you ≠ ↑forwards ▪ Hannah took a step backward. ▪ She pushed me and I fell backwards into the chair. 2.) towards the beginning or the past ≠ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • backwards — adv. 1 away from one s front (lean backwards; look backwards). 2 a with the back foremost (walk backwards). b in reverse of the usual way (count backwards; spell backwards). 3 a into a worse state (new policies are taking us backwards). b into… …   Useful english dictionary

  • backwards — backward, backwards 1. For the adverb, both forms are in use, although backward is somewhat more common in AmE and backwards in BrE: • Talk ran backward from the events of the morning A. Munro, CanE 1987 • I walked backward to look at her in the… …   Modern English usage

  • backwards —    The notion that walking backwards is unlucky was occasionally noted in the mid 19th century from the Lancashire/ Yorkshire area: [Lancashire] children are frequently cautioned by their parents not to walk backwards when going on an errand; it… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • backwards*/ — [ˈbækwədz] adv 1) in the direction that is behind you The car rolled backwards down the hill.[/ex] 2) in the opposite way or order from usual Count backwards from ten to one.[/ex] Your skirt is on backwards.[/ex] 3) towards a time in the past We… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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