To withdraw from a position, argument, or confrontation; to stop insisting on something.
To stop fighting or arguing about something and admit you won't get what you wanted.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To stop arguing for or defending a position, especially after facing opposition or pressure.
"Despite the backlash, the principal refused to back down from the new school policy."
We will not back down.
— George W. Bush, address to the nation, widely quoted in political journalism
To withdraw a threat, ultimatum, or aggressive stance.
"The company backed down from its threat to sue after the negative publicity."
To move back down from a position (as in climbing back down).
To stop fighting or arguing about something and admit you won't get what you wanted.
Very common in political, negotiation, and interpersonal contexts. Often followed by 'from': 'back down from a claim'. Implies a degree of defeat or concession. Rarely used literally to mean physically moving downward.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "back down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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