back off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Deborah famously tried to muzzle Ava a few times, only to back off when she realized that by hurting her protégé, she was wounding herself.

From Salon • May 29, 2026

“Sometimes you just need to show up and talk to the community, to get them to back off, leave it alone.”

From Slate • May 27, 2026

"So it is not fair to me to say I ever tell my players to back off and not press. If it did look like that, it was never the intention."

From BBC • May 9, 2026

When the calendar flipped to 2025, Korda’s killer instinct shut back off.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

His face was square and blunt; he had gray hair that he brushed back off his forehead and thin, straight eyebrows over cold eyes.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt