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

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Google is the latest major U.S. company to step back from its DEI commitments in the first weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term. —

Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025 Dana Sue’s restaurant Sullivan’s is now Sullivan & Friends, with her stepping back to run the Magnolia Community Foundation, with Erik taking over as chef and Cal as lead partner. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025 Following a short stint of playing in the Daevid Allen Trio, Ratledge stepped back to focus on school while his friends started the Wilde Flowers with bassist Kevin Ayers and several others. —

Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2025 Take a couple of steps back from the tree and look at the ground to get the prompt to start digging. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for step back