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

The onsite bar, appropriately called the Officer’s Club, will cool your jets after your arrival, setting the stage to relax and step back in time (albeit temporarily) to the original cool-kid era of flying. —Julie Destefano, Robb Report, 7 May 2024

The view here is that taking a step back to try to take a step forward in 2025-26 should be considered only in one very specific circumstance: If the Heat: 1). —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 May 2024

The original cast member, 61, has chosen to step back from his duties as Deputy District Chief of District 4, Deadline reported on May 7. —Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024

But after heading in the same direction for over a decade, the COVID-19 pandemic gave Swift an opportunity to step back and scale down. —Al Shipley, SPIN, 5 May 2024

The building only includes showers, stepping back from a recent trend of local developers including bathtubs after years of only having showers. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024

Emmer's step back cleared the way for Johnson's nomination and successful election. —Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 5 May 2024

King Charles, 75, returned to public-facing duties on April 30 after taking a step back to receive treatment following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis in February. —Mallory Moench, TIME, 4 May 2024

In an interview published on April 30, Hadid spoke to Allure about life in Texas and taking a step back from modeling. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024