back off

verb

backed off; backing off; backs off

intransitive verb

: back down

Synonyms of back off

• back down
• back out
• cop out

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

Bessent backed off the idea amid criticism. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 17 June 2026

But that’s only when Tom Holland backs off. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

Syria then did and Obama backed off a military response. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 19 June 2026

He was originally committed to USC but backed off that pledge in May. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

back off

verb

: back down