Back in the day Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Nostalgic Undertone Implies a fond or wistful memory of earlier times, often with a hint of longing. Back in the day, summers seemed to last forever. Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal It doesn't specify an exact time. It's a general reference to the past. Back in the day, high school felt like a different world. Pro Tip 3/3Conversational Use Most common in informal talks among friends, family, or peers. Back in the day, we didn't have smartphones to keep us busy.