back down

British  

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

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noun

1. abandonment of an earlier claim

back down Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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.

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Example Sentences

“Once a path to ending the conflict becomes clear and oil and interest rates come back down, stocks should get a nice jolt to the upside as earnings recapture investor attention,” he added.

From Barron's

However, that is only if oil prices come back down in line with market expectations of as of mid-March.

From The Wall Street Journal

She looked back down at her bowl and turned off the water, then snuck another look at Bernadette, who raised an eyebrow.

From Literature

“Talk,” she says, lying back down on her pillow.

From Literature

Oil prices for immediate delivery are up a lot, but traders are pricing oil back down to $85 a barrel by the end of the year, from $111 now.

From The Wall Street Journal

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