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

In retrospect, he said, he would have made a move on the leaders earlier had he known the pack was going to hang back.

From Los Angeles Times

But the company has largely hung back on full electrics while rivals such as Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen embraced them.

From The Wall Street Journal

He got to the theater first and hung back, observing.

From Literature

Stone says that while she and Delbis had a friendly rapport, she hung back a little when they weren’t shooting.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From BBC