looking back

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Thinking about past events from the point of view of the present, often with a fresh understanding.

   Grammar: Often opens a sentence, followed by a comma: Looking back, I should have listened.

   Patterns

   • looking back on something
   • looking back, someone realizes

   Looking back, I can see that the move was the right decision.

   Looking back on my school years, I remember mostly the friendships.

   Looking back, we should have asked for help earlier.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Turning your head or eyes to see what is behind you.

   Grammar: Literal use, with the idea of facing backward: she kept looking back.

   Patterns

   • keep looking back

   She kept looking back to make sure the dog was following.

   He walked on without looking back.

   The driver was looking back at the empty road behind him.

Common combinations

looking back on

Looking back on that summer, I smile.

looking back now

Looking back now, it seems silly.

without looking back

She left town without looking back.

looking back at

Looking back at the photos, he laughed.

looking back over

Looking back over the year, we made progress.

Synonyms and how they differ

in retrospect

In retrospect is more formal and often introduces a judgment, while looking back sounds more personal.

in hindsight

In hindsight stresses seeing now what could not be seen then, whereas looking back is more general.

reflecting

Reflecting suggests deeper thought, while looking back may be quick.

Opposites

Word family

look back phrasal verb

to think about the past

hindsight noun

understanding of events after they have happened

retrospective adjective

looking at the past

retrospect noun

a survey of past events

Commonly confused: looking back or looking after?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “looking back”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words