back off
back off — phrasal verb
- back offbase form
- backs off3rd person singular
- backing off-ing form
- backed offpast simple
1. to stop taking part in a situation or trying to influence it, so that other peop
to stop taking part in a situation or trying to influence it, so that other people can deal with it in their own way.
When the argument grew heated, Kenji backed off and let his colleagues resolve it.
back off + and let + someone + verb — stepping back to let others act
The company backed off from its threat to close the factory after talks resumed.
back off from [noun phrase] — withdrawing a position
Tanvi backed off from checking her son's homework when his teacher said he must work alone.
Sahil pushed hard for a promotion, but backed off when he saw his manager's reaction.
The committee backed off from its demand after the school agreed to a smaller change.
- step back
less confrontational, often implies giving someone space rather than withdrawing from a position
- pull out
stronger — suggests complete withdrawal rather than stepping aside temporarily
- stand down
slightly more formal, often used in military or hierarchical settings
- get involved
to take part actively rather than stepping away
- intervene
to step into a situation instead of withdrawing from it
文法句型
back off + from + noun phrase
back off + and let + someone + verb
用法筆記
Common in workplace and personal-relationship contexts. The preposition 'from' is optional when the thing being withdrawn from is already clear.
常見錯誤
2. to move away from a person, animal, or dangerous object, usually because you fee
to move away from a person, animal, or dangerous object, usually because you feel threatened or afraid.
The hiker backed off slowly when he saw the bear standing on the trail ahead.
back off + from [danger] — moving away from a threat
Linh told her little brother to back off from the high balcony edge.
When the dog growled at him, Tariq backed off and gave the animal some space.
Andrés backed off from the burning car as the heat became unbearable.
The security guard backed off when the angry passenger lunged toward him at the gate.
文法句型
back off + from + someone/something
用法筆記
This sense describes a physical, often cautious backward movement. It differs from sense 1 in that the retreat is literal — the person actually changes their physical position — rather than metaphorical.
常見錯誤
back off — verb
- back offpresent simple I / you / we / they
- backs off3rd person singular
- backing off-ing form
- backed offpast simple
1. to accept that you cannot win an argument or negotiation, and give up the positi
to accept that you cannot win an argument or negotiation, and give up the position or demand that you had been insisting on.
The union backed off from its wage demand after the company proved it was losing money.
back off from [demand/claim] — yielding in negotiation
Jude argued with the referee but backed off when his coach told him to stop.
The mayor backed off from raising taxes after thousands of voters signed a petition.
Ayana wanted to challenge the decision but backed off when her lawyer explained the cost.
The landlord backed off from raising rent after the tenants complained to the council.
- stand firm
to maintain your position instead of retreating
- insist
to continue demanding something instead of withdrawing
文法句型
back off + from + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from phrasal verb sense 1 (STOP INVOLVEMENT): this sense (verb/1) is about yielding under pressure in a disagreement or negotiation — you give up a position because you cannot win. Phrasal verb/1 is about voluntarily stepping back from a situation so that others can handle it. Verb/1 is close in meaning to 'back down' and often appears in confrontational contexts where one side admits defeat.