pull back

British  

verb

1. to return or be returned to a rearward position by pulling

   the army pulled back

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noun

1. the act of pulling back

2. a device for restraining the motion of a mechanism, etc, or for returning it to its original position

pull back Idioms  

1. Retreat, as in The troops gradually pulled back. [Mid-1500s]

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Example Sentences

Every second spent on the mountain is a second spent deciding whether to go for broke or pull back out of self-preservation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Only the consumer staples and utilities sectors posted gains on Thursday as investors pulled back from riskier assets and flocked to safe haven assets instead.

From Barron's

Here, she pulls back, letting Levy embody his character and work his way toward the jokes with complete patience.

From Salon

Advertising revenue growth was muted, and general economic uncertainty could be even more of a risk if advertisers pull back their budgets and direct their spending to larger competitors, she said.

From Barron's

Fourth-quarter earnings from card issuers and payment networks suggest high interest rates haven’t yet caused people to pull back their card usage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• confine
• constrain
• control
• curb
• curtail
• detain
• deter
• govern
• hamper
• hinder
• inhibit
• keep down
• kill
• limit
• prevent
• repress
• restrict
• subdue
• suppress