According to numerology, dreams are a reflection of people's hearts, which can reflect people's psychological state and subconscious thoughts. Dreaming that the tape measure can't be taken back may mean that you feel out of control in real life, or you can't fold anything. This dream may imply that you are facing some kind of trouble, or that the situation cannot be solved.
Besides, according to some folk dreams, tape measure can represent time, distance and accuracy. Dreaming that the tape measure can't be taken back may imply that you are anxious about time or a certain distance, or you are too demanding on accuracy, hoping that things can be perfectly controlled.
However, it should be noted that the interpretation of dreams is very personal and will vary from person to person. Only you can truly understand your inner meaning. If this dream brings you anxiety or trouble, you can further observe your life and emotions, or consult a professional psychological counselor to help you better understand and deal with the meaning of the dream.