back out
Britishverb
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Move or retreat backwards without turning; same as back away , def. 1.
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Since summer is almost here, you might face some annoyance or pushback from your friends for waiting this long to back out.
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
He was later sued by Twitter shareholders who lost money after he threatened to back out of the deal.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
I put myself back out there after my breakup.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
"I immediately walked back out the room, shut the door, went down to reception."
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
I also thought he might back out, but on the night of the talent show there he was, so for once we had something different to look forward to.
From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson
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.
