as in to back down
to break a promise or agreement
you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
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Recent Examples of back off
But hopefully his mom had a better sense of humor about it—and more importantly, learned her lesson, which is to back off a toddler’s sweet treats.
—
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 11 Mar. 2025
Lamont spokesman Rob Blanchard said Monday that the governor is not backing off of his appointment of Gillett, and that the schedule for her confirmation vote in the House and Senate is up to legislative leaders.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Already, the industry has received clear signals that the administration would make good on promises to back off the Biden era’s general policy of regulating the industry via enforcement actions.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 3 Mar. 2025
During his first term, Mr. Trump backed off a plan that would have crippled ZTE, a Chinese electronics maker, after Mr. Xi helped secure a meeting between Mr. Trump and President Kim Jong-un of North Korea.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back off
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 11 Mar. 2025
Lamont spokesman Rob Blanchard said Monday that the governor is not backing off of his appointment of Gillett, and that the schedule for her confirmation vote in the House and Senate is up to legislative leaders.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Already, the industry has received clear signals that the administration would make good on promises to back off the Biden era’s general policy of regulating the industry via enforcement actions.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 3 Mar. 2025
During his first term, Mr. Trump backed off a plan that would have crippled ZTE, a Chinese electronics maker, after Mr. Xi helped secure a meeting between Mr. Trump and President Kim Jong-un of North Korea.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
Verb
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Once the foot is under the ball and has left the ground, a subtle flick of the ankle sends it forward to create the dipping motion that will bring it back down quickly.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
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With a 2-1 decision, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals last week sent Brittany Marlowe Holberg's 1998 murder conviction back down to the trial court to decide how to proceed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Extend arms and legs back out to the starting position.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
14 Mar. 2025
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Feel the mossy, sometimes humid air, and the sea breeze swept from the Beaufort bay. Shop and stroll After a slow breakfast at the inn, head back out for some sightseeing on foot.—
Kayleigh Ruller,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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About 20 minutes later, the two cops out in front were joined by a third officer.—
Melody Chiu,
People.com,
7 Jan. 2025
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The judges avoid giving critiques to the girls this week but do talk among one another, which is kind of weird but also means that nobody gets to cop out of Rate-a-Queen and just imitate the judges.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to back off
Cite this Entry
“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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