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To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously had, or has planned to have.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, intransitive
Examples
- I was about to sue them, but I had to back down.
- The boys had planned to fight during recess, but backed down after the principal found out.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
To make (someone) take a less aggressive position.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
To withdraw from a commitment or position; back out.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
move backwards from a certain position
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- The bully had to back down
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: back up, back off
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: withdraw, retreat, pull away, draw back, recede, pull back, retire, move back
remove oneself from an obligation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- He bowed out when he heard how much work was involved
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: chicken out, back off, pull out, bow out
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: retire, withdraw
Narrower terms: resile
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
Translations
23 source translations are retained for this English entry.
-
Catalan:
fer-se enrere
— to take less aggressive position
-
Catalan:
fer marxa enrere
— to take less aggressive position
-
Chinese Mandarin:
做出讓步 /做出让步
(zuòchū ràngbù)
— to take less aggressive position
-
Finnish:
perääntyä
— to take less aggressive position
-
French:
baisser d'un ton
— to take less aggressive position
-
German:
nachgeben
— to take less aggressive position
-
German:
eine Rückzieher machen
— to take less aggressive position
-
German:
zurückrudern
— to take less aggressive position
-
Italian:
cedere
— to take less aggressive position
-
Polish:
dać za wygraną
— to take less aggressive position
-
Polish:
dawać za wygraną
— to take less aggressive position
-
Polish:
wycofać
— to take less aggressive position
-
Portuguese:
recuar
— to take less aggressive position
-
Portuguese:
voltar atrás
— to take less aggressive position
-
Romanian:
ceda
— to take less aggressive position
-
Russian:
пойти́ на усту́пки
(pojtí na ustúpki)
— to take less aggressive position
-
Russian:
пойти́ на попя́тный
(pojtí na popjátnyj)
— to take less aggressive position
-
Russian:
дать за́дний ход
(datʹ zádnij xod)
— to take less aggressive position
-
Russian:
спасовать
(spasovatʹ)
— to take less aggressive position
-
Spanish:
recular
— to take less aggressive position
-
Spanish:
echarse atrás
— to take less aggressive position
-
Swedish:
ge med
— to take less aggressive position
-
Swedish:
ge vika
— to take less aggressive position