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back off

B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To stop pushing or bothering someone, or to move away from something that seems dangerous.

Literal meaning: To step or move backwards, off from a position.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To stop putting pressure on someone; to leave someone alone.

""Back off!" she shouted when he kept interrupting her during the meeting."

"Back off, man. I'm a scientist."

— Bill Murray as Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters (1984)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To withdraw from or reduce involvement in something, such as a commitment or an aggressive plan.

"The supermarket chain backed off its expansion plans after facing local opposition."

Grammar: inseparable
3 A2 neutral

To physically move backwards away from a person or object.

"He backed off when he realized the stranger was much larger than he'd expected."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Often used as a direct command ('Back off!'). Can be used literally (move away physically) or figuratively (stop applying pressure, reduce involvement). The tone is usually assertive or slightly aggressive. Common in both AmE and BrE.

Commonly used with

threat demand pressure bully aggressor deal

Forms

Base
back off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
backs off
he/she/it
Past simple
backed off
yesterday
Past participle
backed off
have + pp
-ing form
backing off
continuous

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