to postpone / put back
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to postpone
To move something to a later point in time; to put something off.
Wir müssen unsere Reisepläne wegen der aktuellen Lage leider zurückstellen.
Unfortunately, we have to postpone our travel plans because of the current situation.
'Zurückstellen' (to postpone / put back) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück' stands at the end of the sentence in a main clause. In subordinate clauses, the whole verb stands at the end.
Stellst du die Milch bitte in den Kühlschrank zurück?
Could you put the milk back in the fridge, please?
The difference between 'verschieben' (to postpone) and 'an den Platz legen' (to put back in its place) becomes clear through the object. Abstract things like 'Pläne' (plans), 'Wünsche' (wishes), or 'eine Entscheidung' (a decision) are postponed. Concrete objects like 'ein Buch' (a book) or 'eine Tasse' (a cup) are put back in their place.
Er musste seine persönlichen Interessen für das Projekt zurückstellen.
He had to put his personal interests aside for the project.
The expression 'sich zurückstellen' means to voluntarily put one's own needs or wishes behind those of others. It is always used with a reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, etc.).
Gute Eltern stellen sich oft für ihre Kinder zurück.
Good parents often put themselves second for their children.
In the meaning 'eine Uhr einstellen' (to set a clock), this verb is used almost exclusively in the context of the time change in the fall, when the clocks are set back by one hour.
Vergiss nicht, am Wochenende die Uhr eine Stunde zurückzustellen.
Don't forget to set the clock back by one hour this weekend.
to imagine / introduce
'vorstellen' and 'zurückstellen' are opposites when talking about clocks. 'Die Uhr vorstellen' means setting the clock to a later time. 'Die Uhr zurückstellen' means setting the clock to an earlier time. It is easy to confuse the words because both describe changing the time on a clock. Pay attention to the direction: 'vor-' goes forward in time, while 'zurück-' goes back in time.
Im Herbst muss man die Uhr wieder eine Stunde zurückstellen.
In the fall, you have to set the clock back one hour again.
Im Frühling stellen wir die Uhr eine Stunde vor.
In spring, we set the clock ahead one hour.