Definition

Verb: 1. To withdraw from a demand, position, or confrontation; to concede or retreat in the face of opposition or a stronger argument. 2. To physically move backward from a position.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Concede):
  • After a long argument, he finally backed down and admitted he was wrong.
  • The company threatened legal action but backed down when faced with public criticism.
• Verb (Move Back):
  • The dog growled, and I slowly backed down from the porch.

Advanced Usage

• "to back down from something": To retreat from a specific challenge, claim, or threat.
  • She refused to back down from her principles.
  • The government will not back down from this policy.

Variants and Related Words

• Backdown (n): The act of withdrawing from a position or demand.
  • His sudden backdown surprised everyone in the negotiation.

Synonyms

• Withdraw: To remove oneself from a situation.
• Retreat: To move back or away, especially from conflict.
• Concede: To admit defeat or yield.
• Give in: To stop resisting and agree.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Back off: Similar to "back down," often implying stopping aggressive behavior or ceasing pressure.
  • I told him to back off and leave me alone.
• Back away: To move backwards, often slowly and cautiously from something frightening or dangerous.
  • She backed away from the edge of the cliff.

Related Idioms

• Climb down: To retract a statement or withdraw from a position in a humiliating way.
  • The minister was forced to climb down over his controversial remarks.

Verb

1. remove oneself from an obligation
   • He bowed out when he heard how much work was involved
2. move backwards from a certain position
   • The bully had to back down