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

On this play for the third out in the second inning, Tatis was battling the shadows and took a step back before running up and making a sliding catch. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Helping someone step back from a scam can take time, but support and evidence can make a difference. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026

When Steer stepped back in and appeared to make eye contact with Brubaker, the right-hander started going into his delivery. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

While the Russian government has taken steps in the past to acknowledge the culpability of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and his regime, some Russian-language commentators see the display as a massive step back toward denying the crimes of totalitarianism. —Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for step back

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