back off

verb

backed off; backing off; backs off

Examples of back off in a Sentence

you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
Recent Examples on the Web Hovde also weighed a race against Baldwin in 2018 but backed off, and briefly considered a run for governor in 2022. Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 The European Commission threatened an investigation, leading Cupertino to back off with its tail between its legs. David Meyer, Fortune Europe, 5 Mar. 2024 But when McCarthy backed off of that agreement amid pressure from his conference's right flank shortly after, the House and Senate were at odds over how to proceed. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024 Impossible Foods, which reported 50% revenue growth last year, has nonetheless backed off IPO plans, citing market conditions. Byirina Ivanova, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2024 Besides parting ways with former CEO and co-founder Kyle Vogt and other top executives, Cruise also has laid off about one-fourth of its workforce as part of GM's decision to back off its one-time goal of generating $1 billion in annual revenue from the robotaxi service by 2025. Michael Liedtke, Detroit Free Press, 11 Feb. 2024 But he's recanted his confession, prosecutors backed off two weeks before he was supposed to go to trial, and her family has no clue who killed her. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2024 If your co-parent is very defensive, back off and try again later. Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 The expectation is that the strikes will prompt Iran to back off, fearful of risking a shooting war with a far larger power. Matthew Rosenberg, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'back off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back off was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near back off

Cite this Entry

“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20off. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

back off

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on back off

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