English Explanatory Dictionary

spring forward, fall back

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. Used to recall how timepieces are adjusted for daylight saving time: Local time goes forward in the spring (usually by one hour), and back in fall (autumn).

Pronunciation

/ˌspɹɪŋ ˈfɔːwəd ˌfɔːl ˈbæk/ /ˌspɹɪŋ ˈfɔɹwəɹd ˌfɔl ˈbæk/ En-us-spring forward, fall back.oga

Word forms

spring forward, fall back

Etymology

A pun on spring (“(noun) season of the year in temperate regions in which plants spring from the ground and into bloom and dormant animals spring to life; (verb) to move or burst forth”) and US English fall (“(noun) season of the year in temperate regions when the leaves typically fall from the trees; (verb) to move to a lower position under the effect of gravity”).

Synonyms

spring ahead, fall behind
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