back out

verb

1. to withdraw (from an agreement, etc)

Idioms and Phrases

Move or retreat backwards without turning; same as back away , def. 1.

Also, back out of something . Withdraw from a situation, or break an agreement or engagement. For example, After the announcement appeared in the papers, Mary found it doubly difficult to back out of her engagement to Todd . [Early 1800s] Also see go back on .

Related Words

• back down 
• cancel 
• give up 
• renege 
• surrender