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

Her biggest gripe was with the aviation industry and its longstanding rule that flight attendants aren’t paid until the plane backs off from the gate (or the aircraft doors are closed). — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2026

Stocks also got a boost yesterday when the 10-year Treasury yield backed off from highs not seen in almost three years. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Two activists were shot and killed by ICE agents during those January demonstrations, and the administration eventually backed off the aggressive crackdown the president had launched against the city. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Nikishin not backing off trade request Defenseman Alexander Nikishin remains unsigned by the Carolina Hurricanes as camps get set to open. — Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 14 Sep. 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