stand back
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To move or be positioned at a distance from something or someone: To physically step or move backwards to create space, often to gain a better view or perspective. 2. To refrain from involvement; to avoid interference: To deliberately choose not to get involved in a situation, to maintain a detached or objective position.
Usage and Examples
- Literal Meaning (To move back):
- The police asked the crowd to stand back from the burning building.
- She stood back to admire the finished painting.
- Figurative Meaning (To avoid involvement):
- A good manager knows when to stand back and let the team solve the problem.
- You need to stand back from the emotional details and look at the facts objectively.
Advanced Usage
- "To stand back from something": This prepositional phrase is commonly used to emphasize the object of distance, whether physical or metaphorical.
- It's important to stand back from your work sometimes to see its true quality.
- He has learned to stand back from family arguments.
Variants and Related Words
- Standoffish (adj): Distant or reserved in manner; not friendly.
- His standoffish attitude made it hard to get to know him.
Synonyms
- Keep back: To remain at a distance.
- Hold back: To refrain from acting or advancing.
- Keep one's distance: To maintain a physical or emotional separation.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Stand aside: To move to one side; to withdraw from a position or competition.
- He decided to stand aside and let a younger colleague take the lead.
- Stand down: To withdraw from a position or contest; (of soldiers) to go off duty.
- The general ordered his troops to stand down.
Related Idioms
- Take a step back: To pause and consider something from a broader perspective.
- Before making a decision, it's wise to take a step back and review all the options.
Verb
- stand away from an object or person
- He stood back to look at her
- stay clear of, avoid
- Keep your hands off my wife!
- Keep your distance from this man--he is dangerous