stand back
To move further away from something, or to stop and think about the bigger picture.
Meanings
To move physically away from something, especially to a safer distance.
"Stand back — the fire is spreading and the heat is intense."
To mentally distance oneself from a situation in order to see it more clearly or objectively.
"Sometimes you need to stand back from a problem before you can find the right solution."
(Of a building or place) to be set at a distance from a road or other structure.
"The old manor house stands back from the main road, hidden behind a row of tall oak trees."
Very common as a command (e.g., 'Stand back!'). The figurative sense of gaining perspective is common in professional and reflective contexts.
Commonly used with
Forms
Understand "stand back" better
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "stand back" on Looplines