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
In a few of the photos, her hair was styled in a side part, while photos saw Zellweger's hair slicked back off her face in a more modern style.
—
Hedy Phillips, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
The local officials quickly backed off and agreed to allow Tesla’s factory to resume operations, but the damage was done.
—John Hyatt, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
What the first responder law says The law, Senate Bill 184, says that individuals must stand at least 25 feet from a first responder who verbally warns them to back off while the responder is working.
—Howard Cohen, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
The point guard backed off to the perimeter as Jokic sized up Wembanyama and prepared to improvise.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back off 
Hedy Phillips, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
The local officials quickly backed off and agreed to allow Tesla’s factory to resume operations, but the damage was done.
—John Hyatt, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
What the first responder law says The law, Senate Bill 184, says that individuals must stand at least 25 feet from a first responder who verbally warns them to back off while the responder is working.
—Howard Cohen, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
The point guard backed off to the perimeter as Jokic sized up Wembanyama and prepared to improvise.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
Verb
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Brown raised his hand, and then quickly brought it back down.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
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Lisa proceeded to shout, but Bronwyn was not backing down.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Walsh responded by making a trade with the Rams for elusive running back Wendell Tayler and drafting Roger Craig, a multipurpose back out of Nebraska.—
Mark Purdy,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
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The Cubs would also hope to tease a little more velocity back out of Pressly, who has historically had strong ground-ball numbers, which would play well on a team with multiple Gold Glove defenders.—
Patrick Mooney,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 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
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Cite this Entry
“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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