back to frontadv.adj.
/ˌbak tə ˈfrʌnt/, U.S. /ˌbæk tə ˈfrənt/ A. adv.
In such a way as to reverse the usual or correct position or order; (esp. of clothing) with the back part in the position usually occupied by the front, and vice versa. In extended use: in an inverted or illogical manner.
ΚΠ
1869 Portland (Maine) Daily Press 22 May A Wisconsin child has come into the world prepared to hear what is said behind his back. His ears are set on ‘back to front’.
1874 L. Graeme Home Life in Highlands v. 42 I was up and had put on my clothes. I had to put them all on back to front..because there was no one to fasten them behind.
1935 Observer 15 Dec. 13/3 The man with the battered bowler hat, his jacket on back to front.
1973 M. Frayn Sweet Dreams 67 I was making it up as I went along. I got it all back to front, and couldn't think of a punchline.
2013 Independent 1 Jan. 17/1 The ‘slanket’, a sort of blanket with arms,..which is only like wearing your dressing gown back to front.
B. adj.
Usually in form back-to-front. Chiefly predicative. Reversed from the usual or correct position or order; (esp. of clothing) that has the back part in the position usually occupied by the front, and vice versa. In extended use: inverted or illogical.
ΚΠ
1916 E. T. Seton in Ladies' Home Jrnl. Sept. 57/2 Now another boy with his arms thrust through a coat (which was back to front) passed the coat over the first fellow's head.
1957 S. Moss In Track of Speed xi. 137 I fumbled the five speed gear box until I got used to it.... The gate change was back to front to what was usual.
1992 R. Alexander Policy & Pract. Primary Educ. iv. 86 The implied agenda is in any event back-to-front. Questions about purposes, content and learning are logically prior to questions about layout and organization.
2006 Independent 8 Apr. 21/5 [The school] library..is tired of seeing thong-tops, Calvin Klein waistbands and back-to-front Lakers caps.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2022).
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adv.adj.1869