stays back
Remains in place
Stays back means to remain behind while others move forward or leave.
A student might stay back after class to ask a question.
In sports, a defender who stays back maintains position rather than advancing: The goalkeeper stayed back while the rest of the team pushed forward.
In some educational systems, to stay back is to repeat a grade rather than advance with one's peers.
- lingerStay beyond necessity
- shy awayWithdraw from reluctantly
- waitDelay until later
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
bides time · steps aside · defer · pause · withdraw · postpone · hide · holds off · refrain · behind · shadow · remain · restrain · disengage · trail · stand still · isolate · halt
stays backadvances
Forward movements or progress
moves forward · pushes forward · approaches · charges · proceeds
stays backjoins in
Becomes a participant
participates · engages · jumps in · dives in · takes part
stays backtakes the plunge
Acts despite uncertainty
takes a risk · goes for it · rushes in · takes the initiative
stay, stays, stayed, staying, back, backs, backed, backing, backer