What does the expression "without looking back" mean?

The gerundive "without looking back" has, in addition to direct significance, also portable. This article will consider the use of this word in Russian speech.

The direct meaning of the verb "to look back"

First, in order to understand the meaning of the expression "without looking back", it is necessary to understand what the initial form of the verb from which the verbal participle is formed, without a negative particle , means . So, as the dictionaries say, in the literal sense, it means the action associated with the inspection of the place, with the rotation of the body or head. That is, the living entity turns around, looking at the terrain or peering into the distance.

The direct meaning of the word "not looking back"

Now it is easy to explain the meaning of gerunds with negation. "Without looking back" means moving without examining the terrain behind it. That is, the creature moves without turning its head back to see what is happening there. For example: "The wolf ran quickly, without stopping and without looking back."

The portable meaning of the verb "to look back"

1. Often it is used to express a state of apprehension: "Having started writing an autobiographical novel, Alexey constantly looked around, afraid of inadvertently allowing a blunder, exposing his relations with Natalia."
2. The second meaning can be an action, also associated with fears, but expressed a little differently. Man, as it were, compares his actions with the opinion of others, that is, looks back at them: "You decide how to act, there's nothing to look back at others!"
3. There is also the third option - adaptation: "The old man lived, constantly looking around, afraid of something to disturb his settled peace."
4. In the fourth version, this verb denotes memories: "He mentally looked back at his past and found in him the causes of the current discomfort."
5. Coming or coming to an unfamiliar place, a person or an animal gradually recognizes all the nuances of a new way of life: "The transfer to a new job made Michael look around to understand what laws were in place here."

Portable meaning of the word

In this case, we should also act by analogy with clarifying the direct meaning of the word "not looking back." That is, we need to select the semantic antonyms to the portable meaning of the initial form without denial.

1. In the first variant, such an opposite meaning will be a sense of security, that is, confidence, tranquility. "Matvei calmed down and began to live, not even mentally looking back - it was so much easier."
2. Act without fear, sharply, without hesitation, - this is the second meaning of the gerund. "Slamming the door, Tatiana left without looking back."
3. If a person does not consider someone else's opinion above his, his behavior is characterized as follows. "He lived, not looking back at others, as he himself thought fit."
4. Without taking into account the memories and the past, it is difficult to live, but, psychologists say, it is possible. Also it is necessary. "Valentina broke up with the former lover, not looking back at their common past, found the strength to start all over again."
5. And one more meaning. Feeling something unlimited or acting extremely enthusiastically, forgetting about everything, a person says that he lived and felt "without looking back."