back off
Definition
- Verb (intransitive):
- To withdraw from a commitment, demand, or confrontation; to retreat from a previously stated position or course of action.
- To move backwards, especially to create distance from something or someone.
Usage
- This verb is typically used to describe a person or group deciding not to follow through with a threat, demand, or plan, often due to opposition or the realization of difficulty.
- It is also used literally to describe the physical act of moving backward.
- It is often used in imperative form as a warning or command.
Examples
Verb (withdrawing): The company threatened to sue, but they eventually backed off. He said he would run for mayor, but he backed off when he saw the competition.
Verb (moving backwards): The dog growled, so I slowly backed off. "Back off!" she shouted, holding up her hands.
Advanced Usage
- "to back off from something": To withdraw from a specific issue, claim, or aggressive stance.
Variants and Related Words
- Back down (verb): A close synonym, especially for withdrawing from a demand or argument.
- Back away (verb): Often used similarly for physical retreat and sometimes metaphorical withdrawal.
Synonyms
- Withdraw
- Retreat
- Recede
- Recant
- Relent
Related Phrasal Verbs
Back down: To cease defending a position in an argument; yield. After a long debate, he finally backed down and admitted he was wrong.
Back away: To move backwards away from something, often cautiously. She backed away from the edge of the cliff.
Related Idioms
- Back off!: A strong, direct command telling someone to stop being aggressive, to stop interfering, or to create physical distance.
Verb
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remove oneself from an obligation
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He bowed out when he heard how much work was involved
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move backwards from a certain position
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The bully had to back down
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