back off
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle off
Meanings
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“Back off. He has a knife.”
“Back off from the broken glass.”
Stop pressuring or interfering with someone
Why “off”? Something is delayed, interrupted, reduced, or brought to an end.
“Back off and let her decide.”
“I was trying to fix it, but Ben would not back off.”
Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
“He backed off from the deal.”
“The sponsor backed off after the scandal.”
Don't confuse with
Back off means move away from someone or something, often in retreat. Back out means withdraw from a commitment or agreement.
Test yourself
“Back off. He has a knife.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
back out
A contrast learners often mix up
Withdraw from a commitment or agreement
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Block access to an area or route; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: stopping
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; Take a short pause from an activity
brush off
Same off pattern: separation
Dismiss something or someone as unimportant; Remove dust or dirt by sweeping it lightly; Refuse to talk to someone politely
buy off
Same off pattern: stopping
Bribe someone to stop opposing you
call off
Same off pattern: stopping
Cancel a planned event
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