back out
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To say you won't do something you already agreed to do.
Literal meaning: To move backwards out of a space.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To withdraw from a commitment, promise, or agreement after having agreed to it.
"He backed out of the deal at the last minute, leaving his partners in a very difficult position."
"Trump backs out of summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un."
— CNN, May 2018 headline
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral
To reverse a vehicle out of a space.
"She backed the car out of the garage and headed towards the motorway."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Often followed by 'of': 'back out of a deal'. Implies a breach of commitment and may carry a negative connotation. Very common in everyday speech and journalism. Also used literally for vehicles reversing out of a space.
Commonly used with
deal agreement commitment contract plan promise
Forms
Base
back out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
backs out
he/she/it
Past simple
backed out
yesterday
Past participle
backed out
have + pp
-ing form
backing out
continuous
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