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.

He had to back off a little to manage overheating brakes for 10 laps but then was able to pull away again.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

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

And so that was only possible because there’s a clinical trial, which is another way of saying to the FDA, “Hey, back off a little bit.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

I pull A Wizard of Earthsea back off the shelf and cradle it in my hands.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera