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

For now, Gjoshe has stepped back and sought sanctuary at his family home in Acton, west London. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025

And the offense took a step back at Buffalo. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing unbearable intrusions from the British press and a lack of support from the palace. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025

But King Charles, who never really stepped back from his duties for long, is still battling cancer, and there is concern about his well-being. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for step back

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