back off

back off — 片語動詞

  • 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

1.片語動詞不及物B2
釋義

退出；放手

停止干涉，讓別人處理

to stop taking part in a situation or trying to influence it, so that other people can deal with it in their own way.

例句

When the argument grew heated, Kenji backed off and let his colleagues resolve it.

當爭論變得激烈時，Kenji 便退出讓同事自行解決。

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.

這間公司在談判恢復後，撤回了關閉工廠的威脅。

back off from [noun phrase] — withdrawing a position

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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 The preposition 'from' is optional when the thing being withdrawn from is already clear.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

❌I backed off from him the decision.
✅I backed off and let him make the decision.
💡'back off' is intransitive and cannot take a direct object.
❌She backed off the project.
✅She backed off from the project.
💡When stating what you are leaving, use the preposition 'from'.

2. to move away from a person, animal, or dangerous object, usually because you fee

2.片語動詞不及物B2
釋義

後退；退開

因害怕而向後移動

to move away from a person, animal, or dangerous object, usually because you feel threatened or afraid.

例句

The hiker backed off slowly when he saw the bear standing on the trail ahead.

這名登山客看到棕熊站在前方的步道上，便慢慢地向後退。

back off + from [danger] — moving away from a threat

Linh told her little brother to back off from the high balcony edge.

Linh 叫弟弟從高樓陽台的邊緣退開。

同義詞
  • retreat

    more formal, can be used for military or strategic withdrawal

  • step back

    a smaller, less urgent movement than backing off

反義詞
  • approach

    to move towards something instead of away

  • advance

    to move forward, opposite of retreating

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

❌She backed off the snake.
✅She backed off from the snake.
💡When the thing you are moving away from is named, use 'from'.
❌I backed off him.
✅I backed off from him.
💡The preposition 'from' is required when indicating the person or thing you are moving away from.

back off — 動詞