hang back

verb

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Whether donning a tracksuit to join a fun-run along Windhoek's Independence Avenue, or insisting his driver hang back from official motorcades, he aimed to be a man of the people.

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The Harris campaign has mostly hung back from directly engaging with the various group calls, except when Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff surprised a Black gay and queer men’s group by joining a call last week.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This enabled Trump to hang back, as well.

Read more on Salon

Dad lets me and JP check out the museum on our own while he and Uncle Ty hang back and talk.

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The police hung back, and students abided their directive that activity end at 10 p.m.

Read more on New York Times