flashback

Everyday

1. A flashback is a part of a story, film or play that goes back to show something that happened earlier. tree →
2. A flashback is a sudden, very clear memory of a past event, often a frightening one, that feels like it is happening again. tree →

In the lessons

English lessons on narrative structure (flashbacks to give backstory), films and TV. Health: some people who lived through scary events have flashbacks and can get help. Phrases: in a flashback, flashback scene, have flashbacks.

Examples

• The film opens with a flashback to the hero's childhood. tree →
• Write a flashback to show why the character is afraid of dogs. tree →
• In the flashback we learn the grandfather was a sailor. tree →
• The soldier had flashbacks of the war. tree →
• Use the past perfect tense to start a flashback: «She had once lived by the sea.» tree →
• The wavy picture told us it was a flashback. tree →

Note

Countable. A flashback breaks time order, so use clues (tense, «years before») for the reader. Opposite: flash-forward.