stand back
phrasal verb
stood back; standing back; stands back
1
: to take a few steps backwards
The paramedics told the crowd to stand back.
2
: to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time in order to think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
It's time to stand back and take a long hard look at your problems.
Examples of stand back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the former president was also willing to stand back and let his Democratic successor self-immolate, waiting approximately 20 minutes before explicitly referencing how badly things were going for Biden.
—
W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 July 2024
Hewlett stood back, on the other end of their tosses.
—Luca Evans, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2024
Hold here for 10 seconds on the last rep.
Drive through your left glute to stand back up, engaging your abs and bringing your right knee toward your chest.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 19 June 2024
While standing on a stage between French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Jill Biden, the president appeared to squat in midair as if beginning to sit in a chair but then stood back up.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for stand back 
W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 July 2024
Hewlett stood back, on the other end of their tosses.
—Luca Evans, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2024
Hold here for 10 seconds on the last rep.
Drive through your left glute to stand back up, engaging your abs and bringing your right knee toward your chest.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 19 June 2024
While standing on a stage between French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Jill Biden, the president appeared to squat in midair as if beginning to sit in a chair but then stood back up.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for stand back
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stand back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stand back
Cite this Entry
“Stand back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand%20back. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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