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back off. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
back off, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
back off in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
back off you have here. The definition of the word
back off will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
back off, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Verb
back off (third-person singular simple present backs off, present participle backing off, simple past and past participle backed off)
- (literally) To move backwards away from something.
- Coordinate terms: back away, back out, back up, stand back
- I tried to back off slowly from the tiger in my path.
- (idiomatic) To become less aggressive, particularly when one had appeared committed to act.
- Coordinate terms: back down, stand down
2007 October 10, David M. Herszenhorn, “Capitol Feud: A 12-Year-Old Is the Fodder”, in New York Times:Republicans on Capitol Hill, who were gearing up to use Graeme as evidence that Democrats have overexpanded the health program to include families wealthy enough to afford private insurance, have backed off.
- You need to back off, or the situation could turn ugly.
- I was going to sue, until my legal advisors told me to back off.
- (idiomatic) To lower the setting of.
- Synonyms: dial back, turn down
- Coordinate term: back out
- Could you back off the volume a bit? It's really loud.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see back, off.
The machine may go back off if it gets too hot [= turn off again, turn back off].
Derived terms
Translations
to move backwards away from something
to become less aggressive, particularly when one had appeared committed to act