Definition

Verb: 1. To move backwards or away from something, often due to fear, caution, or surprise. This meaning describes a physical retreat or a sudden, often involuntary, movement away from a stimulus. 2. To withdraw from a situation, commitment, or promise. This meaning describes a figurative retreat, such as deciding not to participate or to remove support.

Usage Examples

• Literal, physical movement:
  • She drew back in horror when she saw the spider.
  • The cat drew back its paw before swiping at the toy.
• Figurative, withdrawal from involvement:
  • The company had to draw back from the deal due to financial constraints.
  • He initially agreed to help but later drew back, citing a lack of time.

Advanced Usage

• "to draw back from (something)": To become reluctant to do something or to retreat from an action or idea.
  • Investors began to draw back from the risky venture.
• "to draw back in alarm/surprise/horror": A common collocation emphasizing the emotional reason for the physical retreat.
  • The loud noise caused the crowd to draw back in alarm.

Variants and Related Words

• Drawback (Noun): A disadvantage or problem.
  • The main drawback of the plan is its high cost.
• Withdraw (Verb): A close synonym, especially for the figurative meaning of removing oneself.
  • He decided to withdraw his application.

Synonyms

• Retreat: To move back, especially from danger or an unpleasant situation.
• Recoil: To suddenly move back because of fear or disgust (stronger connotation).
• Flinch: To make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to pain or fear.
• Pull back: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Back away: Similar to "draw back," meaning to move backwards slowly, often from something threatening.
  • He told the dog to back away from the food.
• Pull out (of): To withdraw from an agreement or a situation.
  • The athlete had to pull out of the race due to injury.

Related Idioms

• Get cold feet: To suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, often leading to withdrawal.
  • He was going to skydive but got cold feet at the last minute.

Verb

1. use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
2. pull back or move away or backward
   • The enemy withdrew
   • The limo pulled away from the curb