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
Others are standing back to see if Trump goes through with his threats are moves on after generating a barrage of headlines.
—
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 May 2025
Police had ordered paramedics to stand back until the scene was considered safe to enter.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Put it in place, connect cables to the ports on the side facing the screen, and then focus while standing back far enough to see the entire screen.
—PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Sort yourself out, rewire your connection to the universe, and then stand back.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand back
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Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 May 2025
Police had ordered paramedics to stand back until the scene was considered safe to enter.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Put it in place, connect cables to the ports on the side facing the screen, and then focus while standing back far enough to see the entire screen.
—PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Sort yourself out, rewire your connection to the universe, and then stand back.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 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 27 May. 2025.
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