stand back
phrasal verb
stood back; standing back; stands back
1
: to take a few steps backwards
The paramedics told the crowd to stand back.
2
: to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time in order to think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
It's time to stand back and take a long hard look at your problems.
Examples of stand back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Because of that, the veteran quarterback Russell Wilson had a chance to stand back and watch Dart and that unit go to work.
—
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
From a standing position on a flat, nonslip surface, cross your legs and try sitting down on the floor, then standing back up without using your hands or knees or wobbling.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 25 June 2025
Still, this season feels a lot like lighting a firecracker fuse, standing back, and… and… and… ah dang it this one’s a dud.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 2 May 2025
That prompted orders for people to stand back as Ramos was pushed to the ground by deputies.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand back
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Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
From a standing position on a flat, nonslip surface, cross your legs and try sitting down on the floor, then standing back up without using your hands or knees or wobbling.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 25 June 2025
Still, this season feels a lot like lighting a firecracker fuse, standing back, and… and… and… ah dang it this one’s a dud.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 2 May 2025
That prompted orders for people to stand back as Ramos was pushed to the ground by deputies.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand back
Cite this Entry
“Stand back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand%20back. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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