back down
Britishverb
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(intr, adverb) to withdraw an earlier claim
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(tr) rowing to cause (a boat) to move backwards by pushing rather than pulling on the oars
noun
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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]
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Fed grew it during emergencies and never fully brought it back down, partly because of new banking regulations and the growth of the Treasury’s account at the Fed.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
"Normally I would drive back down to London. That was the first time I got on a train to go back. What's the chance of that happening? It's crazy."
From BBC • May 17, 2026
As chair, Warsh’s first priority must be to finish the job of bringing inflation back down to the Fed’s 2% target.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
He appears dazed and crouches back down before having a few choice words with the audience.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
“Must be someone shooting a rifle back down the river somewhere,” answered Buzz, but he knew that wasn’t quite right.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
