draw back

1. Withdraw from an undertaking, as in I was too deeply committed to draw back now . [Mid-1800s]

2. Retreat, as in The heckler drew back into the crowd to avoid being identified . [c. 1300]

Example Sentences

Chretien de Troyes has Yvain and Gawain fighting anonymously for hours without stopping until night forces them to draw back.

From The Daily Beast

These sometimes needed a force of twelve hundred pounds to draw back the string to its catch, but how they could shoot!

From Project Gutenberg

Drinkwater, I believe youre lying, said OLeary, with a twitching of his hands that made the other draw back abruptly.

From Project Gutenberg

Doing so he saw an old woman draw back the curtain and look down upon him as if searching for him with a purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

While doing so, draw back your left shoulder so as to throw your weight on the right side.

From Project Gutenberg

He ordered his cavalry to draw back and, riding up to the infantry, halted them.

From Project Gutenberg