ENGLISH
REFERENCE

set one's watch back

idiom
Meaning

To ponder or experience a past time.


Examples
SIMPLE

I sometimes set my watch back to remember my childhood.

CONTEXTUAL

When I visit my old neighborhood, I set my watch back and imagine life as it was twenty years ago.

COMPLEX

The elderly man would often set his watch back, losing himself in the vivid, bittersweet memories of a summer that had long since faded into history.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

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