back out

verb

1. to withdraw (from an agreement, etc)

Idioms and Phrases

Move or retreat backwards without turning; same as back away , def. 1.

Also, back out of something . Withdraw from a situation, or break an agreement or engagement. For example, After the announcement appeared in the papers, Mary found it doubly difficult to back out of her engagement to Todd . [Early 1800s] Also see go back on .

Example Sentences

Though warn relatives in advance so they can back out of your dry dinner, or bar hop, or plan an after-party on their own later.

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Foot traffic was light but steady on a recent weekday morning, with a mix of students and office workers zipping in and back out a few minutes later.

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Every few seconds, he curled up inside, then climbed back out to wrestle with the flapping tarp.

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After hugs and farewells, they walk back out into the night, still unnoticed.

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After cutting the price, they went under contract three times, but each successive buyer backed out before closing.

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Related Words

• back down 
• cancel 
• give up 
• renege 
• surrender