step back
phrasal verb
stepped back; stepping back; steps back
: to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time so in order to think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
You need to step back and give yourself some time to work through this.
Examples of step back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stepping through the doors feels like stepping back in time, in a good way, with old-school service, a delightful lobby bar, and humongous suites, some with skyline views of Rome.
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Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
From a video shared on the X post, once the crew created a hole big enough for Faye to get through, the firefighters stepped back and called out Faye’s name and whistled until the dog slowly walked through the hole.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for step back 
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
From a video shared on the X post, once the crew created a hole big enough for Faye to get through, the firefighters stepped back and called out Faye’s name and whistled until the dog slowly walked through the hole.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for step back
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Step back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20back. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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