lean back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Tip the upper body backward
Why “back”? Back creates distance or reduces progress. The change can affect a place, position, amount, promise, or plan.
“He leaned back in his chair.”
“Nina leaned back against the wall.”
Don't confuse with
Lean back means tip the upper body backward. Lean over means tip the upper body over something.
Test yourself
“He leaned back in his chair.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
lean over
A contrast learners often mix up
Tip the upper body over something
cut back
Same back pattern: distance
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
die back
Same back pattern: distance
(of a plant) lose leaves and branches above ground while the roots survive
draw back
Same back pattern: distance
Move yourself away in hesitation
drive back
Same back pattern: distance
Force an attacker to retreat
drop back
Same back pattern: distance
Move to a position further behind
edge back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backward in small cautious steps
fall back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
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