back off

verb

backed off; backing off; backs off

Examples of back off in a Sentence

you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Nevertheless, Mia backs off from pressing on the story. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024 It’s backed off from that breakout as sellers moved in but remains in an up trend for the year and since the 2022 lows. John Navin, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for back off 

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back off was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near back off

Cite this Entry

“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20off. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

back off

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on back off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!