The expression probably comes from the physical act of turning your back toward someone, instead of speaking to him face-to-face.

VOA: special.2009.12.13

A teacher may use it when she walks into a room where the students are playing and talking, instead of studying.

VOA: special.2009.01.11

"Instead of shopping in just the regular shopping mall we were kind of forced to go to these bargain type shops."

VOA: special.2009.12.21

And President Lincoln sent thousands of troops to chase Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, instead of helping McClellan at Richmond.

VOA: special.2009.09.17

The study is said to be the first to examine in detail measurements of bone strength instead of bone density.

VOA: special.2009.03.10

Gemini's flight director decided to reduce the use of power on the spacecraft, instead of ending the flight early.

VOA: special.2009.06.24

Some of the writers of the Harlem Renaissance criticized her for writing about black culture instead of relations between the races.

VOA: special.2009.02.22

If you use an alcohol-based product instead of soap and water, make sure it contains at least sixty percent alcohol.

VOA: special.2010.09.29

you can offer more flavors instead of one cake you know you can offer six different kind of cupcakes."

VOA: special.2010.04.12

The students use the mixture to fertilize the soil instead of buying chemical fertilizers that could harm the environment.

VOA: special.2009.04.14

The leaders agreed to make the G20 the main group for their international economic cooperation, instead of the G8.

VOA: special.2009.09.26

But he agrees that in recent years, many companies have tied pay to short-term performance, instead of their long-term health.

VOA: special.2009.10.30

And,it means that transgenic marmosets can be produced from breeding instead of by the lengthy process of injecting fertilized eggs.

VOA: special.2009.06.23

Play it by ear also means to decide what to do at the last minute instead of making detailed plans.

VOA: special.2009.09.13