turn one's back
Refuse to help
To turn one's back is to reject, abandon, or deliberately ignore someone or something previously engaged with.
The image is of literally facing away—withdrawing attention or support: He turned his back on his family when he moved abroad, She turned her back on her old beliefs.
The phrase often implies betrayal or callous disregard.
To leave behind completely
- forsakeAbandon completely
- leaveSanctioned time away
- betrayViolate a trust
- walk awayDepart from something
disown · renounce · relinquish · withdraw · defect · neglect · abdicate · jilt
desert
To leave behind completely
walk away · disown · renounce · relinquish · withdraw · defect · neglect · abdicate · jilt · strand
disregard
Willful lack of attention
cold shoulder · snub · brush off · tune out · look away · blank · slight · pretend not to see · shut out · look through
spurn
Refuse with contempt
shun · decline · deny · ostracize · excommunicate · cast out · disavow · exclude · banish · blackball
turn one's backface
Head's anterior surface
confront · acknowledge · attend to · heed · focus on
turn one's backstand by
Remain ready to assist
stick by · support · stand with · back up · be there for
turn, turns, turned, turning, turner, ones, back, backs, backed