Back Away From – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever seen someone slowly move back from a barking dog? They back away from it. This common idiom means to move backwards from something, often because of fear or caution. It can also mean to withdraw from a promise, idea, or difficult situation. Learning back away from will help you talk about retreating and changing your mind.
What Does “Back Away From” Mean?
“Back away from” has both a literal and a figurative meaning. Literally, it means to move backwards away from something. Figuratively, it means to withdraw from an agreement, a plan, or a commitment.
Think of it like this: You physically back away from the edge of a cliff. Or, a company might back away from a risky business deal.
Remember, the figurative meaning shows a decision to avoid involvement or danger.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom in many different contexts.
- Physical Movement: “Please back away from the exhibit,” the museum guard said.
- Changing Plans: “The investor decided to back away from the contract.”
- Avoiding Conflict: “He saw the argument was getting heated, so he backed away from it.”
The tone is usually cautious or strategic. It is common in both informal and formal conversations.
Example Sentences
- The cat hissed, and the dog backed away from it.
- She had to back away from the project due to a lack of time.
- The government is backing away from its earlier promises.
- When he saw the size of the crowd, he backed away from the entrance.
Mini Dialogue
Emma: “I thought you were going to invest in Mark’s new company.”
Jake: “I was, but I had to back away from the deal. It seemed too risky.”
Emma: “Sometimes it’s smart to back away from a bad situation.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is confusing “back away from” with “back down from.” “Back down” means to stop demanding something or to admit you are wrong in an argument. “Back away” is more about physically retreating or withdrawing from an involvement.
❌ Don’t say: “He wouldn’t back away from his opinion during the debate.” (This is more about refusing to yield).
✅ Do say: “He wouldn’t back down from his opinion during the debate.” OR “He decided to back away from the business partnership.”
Practice Tip
Notice when you change your mind about a plan or commitment. You can explain it by saying, “I decided to back away from that idea.” It’s a clear way to communicate your decision.
Final Note
This is a useful phrase for describing both physical caution and thoughtful decisions to withdraw. It helps you talk about avoiding danger or unwise commitments. Use it to sound more strategic and self-aware in your conversations!
