back away

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Sure! Let's break down the phrase "back away" in a simple way.

Definition:

"Back away" is a phrasal verb that means to move backwards or to retreat from something. It can also mean to withdraw from a commitment or decision you made earlier.

Usage:

You can use "back away" in two main ways: 1. Physical Movement: When someone physically steps back from something, like moving away from a dangerous situation. 2. Emotional or Decision Withdrawal: When someone changes their mind about a promise or commitment they made, choosing not to follow through.

Example Sentences:

1. Physical Movement: "When the dog started barking, I decided to back away slowly."
2. Emotional/Decision Withdrawal: "After thinking it over, she decided to back away from her promise to help with the project."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex sentences, you might see "back away" used in discussions about negotiations or interactions: - "After realizing the risks involved, the company decided to back away from the deal."

Variants:

• Backed away: This is the past tense of "back away." Example: "He backed away from the argument."
• Backing away: This is the present participle form. Example: "She is backing away from her initial stance on the issue."

Different Meaning:

While "back away" can often relate to physical or emotional retreat, it can also imply avoiding confrontation or a situation altogether.

Synonyms:

• Withdraw
• Retreat
• Recede
• Step back

Idioms:

While "back away" itself isn't an idiom, it is often used in phrases like: - "Back off," which means to stop being aggressive or to give someone space. - "Crawfish out," which means to retreat or back out of a commitment, similar to "back away."

Phrasal Verb:

"Back away" is a phrasal verb, meaning it consists of a verb ("back") and a particle ("away"). Phrasal verbs can often have meanings that may not be obvious from the individual words.

Summary:

To "back away" means to physically step back or to withdraw from a commitment. You can use it in many contexts, whether talking about a situation or a decision.

Academic

Verb

1. make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
   • We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
   • He backed out of his earlier promise
   • The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns

Synonyms

• retreat
• pull back
• back out
• crawfish
• crawfish out
• pull in one's horns
• withdraw