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

Midway through the show, Cher ditched her icy hair backstage and stepped back out with her famous black tresses. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 14 July 2025

The journey to becoming an inclusive leader often demands a paradoxical mindset: embracing vulnerability while wielding influence, and stepping back to uplift others while maintaining one’s own standing. —Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025

Take a few steps back, and the loom looks like a miniature suspension bridge – one that carries centuries of history across a span no wider than a yoga mat. —Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 13 July 2025

Textor has also stepped back from his role as Lyon’s president, with Michele Kang having assumed the role and played a leading role in the French club’s appeal process. —Leon Imber, New York Times, 11 July 2025

Rhymes for step back

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