Backing off


Synonyms for back off
verb retreat

balk
back down
withdraw

abandon
surrender
recede

retire
yield
give up

Usage Notes

Although some object to their use, the phrases in back of and the shorter—and much older—back of with the meaning “behind” are fully established as standard in American English: The car was parked (in) back of the house. Both phrases occur in all types of speech and writing.

Read Also:

  • Backing out

    Synonyms for back out verb withdraw cancel back down surrender renege avoid chicken out cop out recant resign scratch welsh give up back pedal beg off blow it off get cold feet go back on shy from throw in the towel weasel out wiggle out worm out Usage Notes Although some object to their use, […]

  • Backing out of

    Synonyms for backing out of verb change mind reconsider renege take back back out of change opinion default on do a U-turn do an about-face fail to honor go back on go into reverse have second thoughts sing a different song shift one’s ground Synonyms verb declare null and void quash invalidate annul revoke reverse […]

  • Backing to the salt mines

    Synonyms for backing to the salt mines verb work very hard plow pound travail perform dig grind muck plod slog sweat toil slave labor hammer schlepp back to the salt mines keep nose to grindstone plug away Antonyms for backing to the salt mines laze avoid dodge hesitate fill idle be lazy

  • Backing outs

    Synonyms for backing outs noun loss of nerve preventing completion of an action anxiety apprehension doubt fear timidity yellow streak backing out chicken heart faint heart fear of carrying out an activity reservations second thoughts weak knees white feather

  • Backing wrong horse

    Synonyms for backing wrong horse verb be unsuccessful decline fall founder flounder flop blunder fold abort fizzle slip miscarry miss backslide deteriorate go down break down back wrong horse be defeated be demoted be found lacking be in vain be ruined come to naught come to nothing fall flat fall short fall through go astray […]


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