stay back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Refrain from approaching
Why “back”? Something is prevented from moving, growing, or being expressed. It can also remain available as a backup.
“Stay back. The floor is wet.”
“Stay back from the broken window.”
Don't confuse with
Stay back means refrain from approaching. Stay over means stay overnight at someone's home.
Test yourself
“Stay back. The floor is wet.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
stay over
A contrast learners often mix up
Stay overnight at someone's home
bite back
Same back pattern: holding
Stop yourself from saying something that you really want to say
choke back
Same back pattern: holding
Suppress an emotion welling up
cut back
Same back pattern: holding
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
fall back
Same back pattern: holding
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
fight back
Same back pattern: holding
Defend yourself against an attack; Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
hang back
Same back pattern: holding
Hesitate to take part
hold back
Same back pattern: holding
Stop yourself from doing or saying something; Prevent someone or something from progressing; Refuse to give information or feelings
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