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

But there is a profound difference between stepping back on your own terms and feeling the Palace close the gate behind you. —Rob Shuter, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025

The team announced Friday afternoon that Vlatko Andonovski would step back from his head-coaching role and become solely the club’s sporting director. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025

So the owners agreed to take a step back for 18 to 24 months before revisiting the idea. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

The diagnosis from her therapist allowed Cleveland to make a claim on her long-term disability policy, which, in turn, gave her the financial flexibility to take a step back and evaluate her situation. —Ryan Ermey mickey Todiwala, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for step back

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback