falls back
Yields some ground
Falls back means retreating or moving to a previous position.
Armies fall back when advancing becomes untenable.
The phrase extends to relying on something as a backup: If the plan fails, we can fall back on our savings.
In autumn, clocks fall back an hour when daylight saving time ends—the opposite of spring forward.
- recedeMove back from
- regressRevert to earlier state
- lean onDepend on for support
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- regroupReassemble after dispersal
plan B · second string · last resort · default · revert · depend · retreat · rely · pull out · recoil · ebbs · retrograde · backtracking · pull away · reconsider · cling to · lose ground · hold onto
falls backadvances
Forward movements or progress
moves forward · pushes forward · presses on · forges ahead · proceeds
falls backadvances
Forward movements or progress
attacks · charges · counterattacks · pushes forward · engages
fall, back, falls, fell, fallen, falling, faller, fallback, backs