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
Buildings would still have to be no more than 30 feet high along property lines abutting residential lots at an alley, unless stepped back from rear property lines a distance equal to the additional height.
—
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 July 2024
My question from a political standpoint is: Trump and President Biden both issued calls for unity and, at least implicitly, urged a step back from the inflammatory rhetoric of the White House campaign.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2024
Democrats are scheduled to meet for their convention in Chicago next month, a session already thrown into disarray by calls from a growing list of Democratic officeholders and donors for Biden to step back from the nomination.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 14 July 2024
Angels starter Davis Daniel (1-2) took another step back in his third major-league start.
—Dan Arritt, Orange County Register, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for step back 
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 July 2024
My question from a political standpoint is: Trump and President Biden both issued calls for unity and, at least implicitly, urged a step back from the inflammatory rhetoric of the White House campaign.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2024
Democrats are scheduled to meet for their convention in Chicago next month, a session already thrown into disarray by calls from a growing list of Democratic officeholders and donors for Biden to step back from the nomination.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 14 July 2024
Angels starter Davis Daniel (1-2) took another step back in his third major-league start.
—Dan Arritt, Orange County Register, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for step back
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Step back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20back. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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