Retrace my steps

[Dr.Appalayya]

I acted fast and hence could not retrace what I did.

Does retrace mean that I could not undo what I did ? or

I am not able to recollect what transpired.

 

[DCPaco]

It means the latter. When one is unable to retrace their steps, one is having trouble recollecting every step of what transpired.

 

[Siberia]

Retrace on its own does not mean 'couldn't undo'. In the sentence above I believe it means 'remember' or 'recollect' as you suggest.

 

[cuchuflete]

Hello Dr. A,

I think we need more background to answer your question.
The sentence, all by itself, doesn't tell me enough to know for sure what 'retrace' means to say.

 

[Dr.Appalayya]

One newly married wife lodged a complaint against her husband, swore at him, incited violence from many of her relative against him, put him in lock-up,...many more all in a jiffy. Now since so many steps were taken in a breakneck speed, it is neither possible to undo what was done nor to recollect what happened.

 

[SweetSoulSister]

I wouldn't use "retrace her steps" in this context. Usually you use this expression when you have misplaced/lost something, like your keys. You retrace your steps so that you can find them.

In your example, I would say, "Since so many attacks were made over such a short amount of time, she can neither undo what was done nor even remember what happened."