fall back

British  

verb

1. to recede or retreat

2. to have recourse (to)

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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

fall back Idioms  

1. 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]

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

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Example Sentences

The VIX, a measure of expected stock market volatility based on S&P 500 index options, fell back below the average for the past 12 months.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their only request was that I have something to fall back on, “so you know what kind of work you’re out of.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Now I had to fall back on the area’s limited fast-charging options.

From The Wall Street Journal

Supporters fell back in love with the England team, which was vital for the health of the game in our country.

From BBC

The stock traded as high as $1,066.65 shortly before 2 p.m. before falling back slightly.

From Barron's

Related Words

• recede
• withdraw