backed off
Gave some space
Backed off means retreated or withdrew from a position, confrontation, or commitment.
Someone who backs off stops pressing forward—whether physically, in an argument, or in pursuit of something: The dog growled and the intruder backed off.
It can signal concession or de-escalation: She backed off when she realized how upset he was.
Often used as a command: Back off!
- retreatedMoved backward from advance
- beat a retreatWithdraw from confrontation
- recoiledShrank back suddenly
- withdrewPulled out or back
- concededAdmitted defeat formally
flinched · disengaged · yielded · relented · caved in · receded · gave up · threw in the towel · backpedaled · stood down · deescalated · let go · cowered · lost nerve · retraction · surrendered · wavered · buckled
- pulling backrecoiled, flinched, retreated, withdrew, retracted
- second thoughtssecond thoughts, reconsideration, rethinking, change of mind, change of heart
- surrenderedsurrendered, capitulated, yielded, conceded, submitted
backed offescalated
Increased in severity
pressed on · doubled down · intensified · ramped up · turned up the heat
backed offmoved in
Began occupying a dwelling
closed in · advanced · approached · stepped up · charged
backed offpersisted
Continued despite difficulty
dug in · persevered · committed · pushed through · followed through
back, backward, backing, backup, backed, backer, backwards, backs, backers