back down

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to withdraw an earlier claim

2. (tr) rowing to cause (a boat) to move backwards by pushing rather than pulling on the oars

noun

1. abandonment of an earlier claim

Idioms and Phrases

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

She climbed onto a wooden railing, grabbed one of the lanterns from its hook, and climbed back down.

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Democrats have resisted funding the government in an effort to force Republicans to back down from massive cuts to healthcare subsidies that help millions of Californians and many more Americans afford health coverage.

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If they are to go straight back down - which at the moment seems improbable - they will at least go down swinging, playing their own brand of football, remaining true to Sarabia's ethos: making fans happy.

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He added that he hoped temperatures could still be brought back down to the 1.5C target by the end of the century.

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Crammed together and compressed, though, these giants shrink back down to mortal size.

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Related Words

• abandon 
• admit 
• back off 
• back out 
• backtrack 
• balk 
• cancel 
• cave in 
• concede 
• give in 
• give up 
• pull back 
• pull out 
• renege 
• retreat 
• surrender 
• take back 
• withdraw