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

At times, the piano players in his groups would simply back off during part of Rollins’ solos, loath to risk following the twisting pathways of his improvising.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

And now they back off, no longer laughing, just watching, watching the back door of the house, the windows, the dark green shades.

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli