back away
Idioms-
Walk backward, as in He cautiously backed away from the fire .
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Gradually retreat, withdraw, as in Since he couldn't convince his colleagues, he's backing away from his original idea . Both usages employ the verb back in the sense of “retreat,” dating from the late 1400s. Also see back down ; back out .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Due in large part to the release of video footage showing McGlockton starting to back away, Drejka was eventually charged with manslaughter.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2026
Fernandes' crosses from the right swing back away from goal, which often gives his team-mates space to head the ball.
From BBC ● May 8, 2026
On the first-quarter call, executives didn’t back away from the bank’s medium-term target of a 17% to 18% return on tangible common equity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026
If you encounter a coyote, keep a safe distance and back away slowly while maintaining eye contact, according to the agency.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2026
But the other guy didn’t seem to care and he didn’t back away.
From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
