turn one's back
verb1
To cease paying attention.
- As soon as I turned my back, he started writing on the wall.
2
Figuratively To forsake, to abandon; to ignore.
- He got off to a strong start, only to turn his back on the project two months later.
- Acting on your best behaviour Turn your back on Mother Nature Everybody wants to rule the world1985, Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, Chris Hughes, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, in Songs from the Big Chair, performed by Tears for Fears:
1 more example
- In response to questions from RailReview, Royal Mail denied turning its back on rail transport completely, stressing it will continue to use rail, keeping the amount of mail moved by train under regular review.2024 October 30, Andy Comfort, “Can the Royal Mail trains keep on running?”, in RAIL, number 1021, page 62:
3
To turn away, as when fleeing or in contempt.
- Related terms
- tergiversate, turn one's coat