hark back

Etymology
From +, originally a hunting command to hounds meaning “Listen! Go back!”.

Verb

 * 1)  Of hounds: to retrace a course in order to pick up the lost scent of prey.
 * 2)  To return to where one has previously been; to retrace one's steps.
 * 3)  To allude, return, or revert (to a subject previously mentioned, etc.); also, to evoke, or long or pine for (a past era or event).
 * 4)  To call back (hounds); to recall.
 * 1)  To allude, return, or revert (to a subject previously mentioned, etc.); also, to evoke, or long or pine for (a past era or event).
 * 2)  To call back (hounds); to recall.
 * 1)  To call back (hounds); to recall.
 * 1)  To call back (hounds); to recall.
 * 1)  To call back (hounds); to recall.
 * 1)  To call back (hounds); to recall.

Usage notes
The forms and  have been used since the 1930s, and the bare form  has been used since the 1980s, though some authorities frown on these and prefer the traditional form hark back.

The eggcorn harp back (influenced by ) is occasionally found, but is generally regarded as an error.

Translations

 * Finnish: hakea jälki uudelleen
 * German: auf etw. zurückgreifen,
 * Spanish:


 * Finnish: ; ,
 * Spanish: ,

Noun

 * 1)  An act of hounds retracing a course in order to pick up the lost scent of prey.
 * 2)  An act of alluding, returning, or reverting (to a subject previously mentioned, etc.); also, an act of evoking, or longing or pining for (a past era or event).
 * 1)  An act of alluding, returning, or reverting (to a subject previously mentioned, etc.); also, an act of evoking, or longing or pining for (a past era or event).