fall back

verb

1. to recede or retreat

2. to have recourse (to)

noun

1. a retreat

2. a reserve, esp money, that can be called upon in need

3. 1. anything to which one can have recourse as a second choice

   2. ( as modifier )

      a fall-back position

Idioms and Phrases

Give ground, retreat, as in The troops fell back before the relentless enemy assault , or He stuck to his argument, refusing to fall back . [c. 1600]

Recede, as in The waves fell back from the shore . [c. 1800]

Example Sentences

Videos shared on social media show a seated Kirk speaking through a microphone; a loud pop is heard and he suddenly falls back, blood gushing from his neck.

From Los Angeles Times

Videos shared on social media show Kirk sitting under a canopy, speaking to hundreds of people through a microphone, when a loud pop is heard; he suddenly falls back, blood gushing from his neck.

From Los Angeles Times

Videos shared on social media shows Kirk sitting under a white canopy, talking when he’s suddenly struck in the neck before falling back as the sound of a loud pop is heard.

From Los Angeles Times

The yield on 30-year UK government bonds - which are known as gilts - has been rising for a number of months, although has now fallen back slightly.

From BBC

The 30-year yield had fallen back, not just to where it was on Monday, but significantly lower, mainly off the back of weaker-than-expected US jobs data.

From BBC

Related Words

• recede 
• withdraw