back away

phraseB12 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To back away is to step backwards, usually from something unwelcome. Facing it, and retreating.

The facing part matters, since backing away means keeping your eyes on whatever it is, which is what you do with a dog you do not trust. It takes from. The figurative sense is about commitments, so backing away from a promise means quietly abandoning it, and that use is very common in political reporting. Back off is about pressure and back down is about arguments.

Definitions of back away

1phraseback awayTo move backwards away from something.B1
“He began to back away towards the door.”
2phrasewithdrawTo withdraw from a position or commitment.B2
“Ministers seemed to back away from the pledge.”

Practised in A Man Called Ove, Body Language & Gestures

First appears in chapter 7 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word

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back away

phraseB12 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To back away is to step backwards, usually from something unwelcome. Facing it, and retreating.

Definitions of back away

1phraseback awayTo move backwards away from something.B1
“He began to back away towards the door.”
2phrasewithdrawTo withdraw from a position or commitment.B2
“Ministers seemed to back away from the pledge.”

Practised in A Man Called Ove, Body Language & Gestures

First appears in chapter 7 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word