back away
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle away
Meanings
Move away or distance yourself, often from fear or caution
Why “away”? A person, object, look, or choice becomes more distant from its starting point.
“She backed away slowly.”
“The child backed away from the dog.”
“He backed away from his earlier statement.”
“They backed away from the deal.”
Don't confuse with
Back away means move away or distance yourself, often from fear or caution. Back off means move away from someone or something, often in retreat.
Test yourself
“She backed away slowly.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
back off
A contrast learners often mix up
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
break away
Same away pattern: leaving
Escape from someone holding you; Leave a group to form a separate one; Pull ahead of others in a race
call away
Same away pattern: leaving
Be required to leave because of an urgent matter
chase away
Same away pattern: leaving
Force someone or something to leave by chasing
come away
Same away pattern: leaving
Leave a place with a particular feeling or impression
drag away
Same away pattern: leaving
Force someone to leave a place reluctantly
draw away
Same away pattern: leaving
Move ahead of competitors by extending the lead
drive away
Same away pattern: leaving
Leave by car; Force someone to leave or stay away
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