The participle “without looking back” has, besides its direct meaning, also figurative. This article will consider the use of this word in Russian speech.
The direct meaning of the verb "look back"
First, in order to understand the meaning of the expression “without looking back”, one should understand what the initial form of the verb from which the participle is formed without a negative particle means . So, according to the dictionaries, in the literal sense, it denotes an action associated with the inspection of the place, and with the rotation of the body or head. That is, the living entity turns around, looking at the area or peering into the distance.
The direct meaning of the word “without looking back”
Now it is easy to explain the meaning of participles with denial. “Without looking back” means moving without looking at the terrain in the back. That is, the creature moves without turning its head back to see what happens there. For example: "The wolf ran fast, not stopping and not looking back."
The figurative meaning of the verb "look back"
- Often it is used to express a state of fear: "Having started writing an autobiographical novel, Alexei constantly looked around, afraid inadvertently to make a mistake, flaunting his relationship with Natalya."
- The second meaning may be an action also related to fears, but expressed a little differently. A person, as it were, compares his actions with the opinions of others, that is, looks back at them: “You decide how to act, there is nothing to look at others!”
- There is a third option - opportunism: "The old man lived, constantly looking around, afraid of something to break his settled peace."
- In the fourth version, this verb denotes memories: "He mentally looked back at his past and found in him the causes of the present discomfort."
- Arriving or coming to an unfamiliar place, a person or an animal gradually learns all the nuances of a new way of life: “The transfer to a new job made Michael look around to understand what laws reigned here.”
Figurative meaning of the word
In this case, one should also act by analogy with clarifying the direct meaning of the word “without looking back”. That is, it is necessary to choose semantic antonyms to the figurative sense of the initial form without negation.
- In the first case, the opposite feeling would be a sense of security, that is, confidence, calm. "Matvey calmed down and began to live, not even mentally looking back - it was so much easier."
- To act without fear, abruptly, without thinking, is the second meaning of the participle. "Slamming the door, Tatyana left without looking back."
- If a person does not consider someone else's opinion above his own, then his behavior is characterized as follows. "He lived without looking back at others, as he considered necessary."
- It’s difficult to live without taking into account memories and the past, but, as psychologists say, it’s possible. And it is necessary. "Valentina broke up with her former lover, not looking back at their common past, found the strength to start all over again."
- And one more meaning. Feeling something boundless or acting extremely enthusiastically, forgetting everything, a person says that he lived and felt “without looking back”.