hang back

verb

hung back; hanging back; hangs back

intransitive verb

1

: to drag behind others

2

: to be reluctant

Synonyms

• balance
• dither
• falter
• halt
• hesitate
• scruple
• shilly-shally
• stagger
• teeter
• vacillate
• waver
• wobble
• wabble

Examples of hang back in a Sentence

even though the young mother wanted the job, she still hung back because she wasn't sure if she should spend time away from her family

Recent Examples on the Web

After the show, attendees were invited to hang back and enjoy an offering of beverages and a BBQ-style cookout, which included burgers, hot dogs and vegetarian options. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2024

Until there is more certainty around those answers, investors may hang back, or wait for more opportunistic moments (like, say, a bankruptcy). —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug. 2024

As computers moved on from DOS to Windows, and word programs grew to encompass features that strayed far from organizing words on a page, WordStar hung back, whether in DOS emulation or in the hearts of its die-hard fans. —Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 6 Aug. 2024

Despite his love of the spotlight, the high priest opted to hang back, a calculated effort to play it cool. —Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hang back

verb

1

: to linger behind others

hung back to wait for the slower children

2

: to be unwilling to do something : hesitate

always hangs back when everyone else is dancing