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rebrousser

to turn back

verb ruh-broo-SEH Rare
Travel & Places Movement

Also means

to go back the way one came

Usage Note

Rebrousser is almost exclusively found in the fixed expression rebrousser chemin, meaning 'to retrace one's steps' or 'to turn back'. The verb on its own is rare outside this phrase. Rebrousser le poil ('to stroke fur the wrong way') is an older expression meaning to rub someone up the wrong way, though this is now uncommon. The expression rebrousser chemin can be used both literally (physically turning back) and figuratively (abandoning a plan).

Examples

"Ils ont dû rebrousser chemin à cause de la neige."

Natural Translation

They had to turn back because of the snow.

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