hang back

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.

Or about the soldier who hung back, too scared to go to the front, and then was killed when a missile struck their base.

From Washington Post

I also wouldn’t recommend it for any but the hardiest of children, and if heights aren’t your thing, you may want to hang back from the rocky ledge.

From Seattle Times

The Broadway and opera displays put their custom-shod feet forward; the film, television, theme park and dance portions hang back.

From New York Times

“Germany is justified in what they’re doing, but I also feel like we’re justified in hanging back because the information is far from perfect.”

From New York Times

The system can also quantify the "airtime" used by each participant, revealing who is dominating and who is hanging back, for instance.

From BBC