back away

Idioms  

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 .

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Example Sentences

The surreal prospect of U.S. and European allies shooting at each other on Greenland sent stock and bond markets sliding, arousing fears that European investors in U.S. government debt could back away.

From The Wall Street Journal

There has been much talk lately about foreign investors backing away from the U.S.

From MarketWatch

Churro barked and backed away, and Natalie watched in horror as the storm surge rose past the second floor and began to flood the hallway.

From Literature

Expectations for the banks are higher, as regulators back away from the industry.

From MarketWatch

She could tuck it all back away and not think about it, she could...

From Literature