back away

1. Walk backward, as in He cautiously backed away from the fire .

2. Gradually retreat, withdraw, as in Since he couldn't convince his colleagues, he's backing away from his original idea . Both usages employ the verb back in the sense of “retreat,” dating from the late 1400s. Also see back down ; back out .

Example Sentences

Values started increasing again when the number of homes for sale plunged as sellers backed away, unwilling to give up mortgages they took out earlier in the pandemic with rates of 3% and lower.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"The conversation is too awkward and uncomfortable so people back away."

Read more on BBC

Still, there’s no need to back away from it yet.

Read more on Barron's

If you’re in the water and a dolphin swims up to you, you must immediately back away.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They warned crowds the man "had a bomb on him" and urged them to back away.

Read more on BBC