back down
Britishverb
-
(intr, adverb) to withdraw an earlier claim
-
(tr) rowing to cause (a boat) to move backwards by pushing rather than pulling on the oars
noun
-
Reverse one's upward course, descend. For example, When she saw the wasps' nest on the roof, she hastily backed down the ladder . This literal usage usually refers to something one has climbed, such as a ladder or mountain. [Mid-1800s]
-
Also, back off . Retreat or yield. For example, As the watchdog began to snarl the letter carrier backed off , or You have a good point; now don't back down when you present it to the board . [First half of 1900s] Also see back away , def. 2.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“However, with neither side showing any clear willingness to back down, traders increasingly believe Brent may need to retest its previous highs before price pressure becomes intense enough to force a political resolution,” Munnelly added.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
The stock, which had touched above $62, has dropped back down to $53 a share.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
The team brought the bodies back down the mountain.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
With the revolving door behind the plate in Smith’s absence, getting him back down the stretch and into the postseason was going to be key.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Just as rebelliously, Angela kept watching the plane parked at 2B, instead of bending her head back down to concentrate on her computer.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
