step back

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

Foster-Todd took about 10 steps back before pulling the trigger, shooting the dog in the head. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 22 July 2026

Tarwater, who previously served as a county legislator for nearly 30 years, also said Abarca should have stepped back or been removed as chair by the Legislature months ago because of his legal troubles. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

Cantrall says stepping back into her role as Red, the Queen of Hearts’ daughter, was like putting on a comfy pair of shoes that fit just right. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026

Decision Support and Imitation of Humans Let’s take a step back. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Rhymes for step back

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