Phrase guide

back down

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

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

2

verb

Meaning 2

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

3

verb

Meaning 3

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

4

verb

Meaning 4

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

5

verb

Meaning 5

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

History

Etymology

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