back out

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Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb (intransitive):
    • To withdraw from a commitment, promise, or agreement: To decide not to do something one has agreed or promised to do.
    • To move a vehicle out of a space by driving in reverse: To exit a parking spot, driveway, or similar area by driving backwards.
Examples of Usage
  • Verb (withdraw from a commitment):
  • Verb (move a vehicle backwards):
Advanced Usage
  • "to back out of something": This is the most common construction, used for both meanings. The preposition "of" is followed by the commitment (e.g., a deal, promise, plan) or the physical space (e.g., a driveway, parking spot).
Variants and Related Words
  • Backdown (n): An act of withdrawing from a position or commitment.
  • Backdown is conceptually related but is a separate noun form.
Synonyms
  • Withdraw: To remove oneself from participation.
  • Retreat: To move back or withdraw, especially from a difficult situation.
  • Renegue: To go back on a promise or commitment (often carries a stronger negative connotation).
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Pull out: To withdraw from an activity or situation. Often interchangeable with "back out" for commitments.
  • Chicken out (informal): To decide not to do something because of fear (specifically for commitments).
Related Idioms
  • Get cold feet: To suddenly become too frightened to do something one had planned to do, often leading to backing out.
Verb
  1. make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
    • We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
    • He backed out of his earlier promise
    • The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns
  2. move out of a space backwards
    • He backed out of the driveway

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