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

"I literally ran into the Co-op to get some snacks and chatted to Jen who works there and came back out again. I hadn't locked the car. I'm an idiot."

From BBC

She is in before she even has a chance to back out.

From Los Angeles Times

“You live alone, you work alone, so unless you plan to date your cleaning lady, you have to put yourself back out there,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

And then I went back out on stage to tell everybody.

From Los Angeles Times

He has shifted position through previous rounds of negotiations, and has ridden through previous ceasefire deals, only to back out when a permanent end to the war is up for discussion.

From BBC

Related Words

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