back away

Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Done up in a luscious dark-red paint scheme, it has a removable roof over the front seats, putting your chauffeur out in the elements while you sit in back, away from prying eyes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

He has had to back away - at least temporarily - from the kind of fight he has frequently relished.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

Local politicians have called for Wasserman to back away from the Olympics committee.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026

Abandoning the attempt to close the door, she began to back away down the dark hall, and Harry followed, gliding toward her, and his long-fingered hand had drawn his wand.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023