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 Pritzker should back off his progressive chest pounding.
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Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2024
American Heritage 2025 receiver Malachi Toney, who backed off a previous commitment to the Hurricanes earlier this month, rejoined Miami’s class on Monday night, announcing his decision on social media.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024
On Tuesday, the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee backed off, voting to keep the film credit in place while cutting the cap, starting next year.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
That could have meant dissolving or merging parts of the district with neighboring districts, but after strong pushback from the community, the state backed off its orders.
—Yesenia Robles, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back off 
Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2024
American Heritage 2025 receiver Malachi Toney, who backed off a previous commitment to the Hurricanes earlier this month, rejoined Miami’s class on Monday night, announcing his decision on social media.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024
On Tuesday, the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee backed off, voting to keep the film credit in place while cutting the cap, starting next year.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
That could have meant dissolving or merging parts of the district with neighboring districts, but after strong pushback from the community, the state backed off its orders.
—Yesenia Robles, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
Verb
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But, of course, since this Super is not really Superman or Supergirl and can’t really fly, gravity brings the person back down.Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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Broadway settled back down to some post-Thanksgiving normalcy last week, dropping about 9% to $42,021,721 from the holiday high of the previous week.Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Daughtry, citing Trump’s endorsement, backed out and endorsed Knott.Mark Harris, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
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Joel, who ended a residency of his own at Madison Square Garden over the summer, will next perform on Long Island for New Year's Eve before heading back out on the road early next year.Sarah Michaud, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about?Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024
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He was walked by cops out of the 105th Precinct in handcuffs Thursday morning and later arraigned in Queens Criminal Supreme Court on murder charges.Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 30 May 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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