hang back

British  

verb

1. to be reluctant to go forward or carry on (with some activity)

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hang back Idioms  

1. Be reluctant to move ahead, hold back. For example, They hung back at the entrance, fearful that they wouldn't be admitted, or We hung back to let our parents go in first. [Second half of 1500s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hang back

Given how precarious the slope was, the group decided Mingma G would hang back and monitor by drone, instructing the three climbers.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

"If we hang back and stand still this will just run right over the top of us," he said in the speech at the University of Sydney.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

The Familiar will know whether to run up or to hang back.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026

“Now, the first time there’s a real challenge we actually see, security forces are willing to hang back and wait and see what happens,” he told AP.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 6, 2023

The others rush in and I hang back, leaning against the bricks outside the restaurant.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

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