Definition of the Phrasal Verb “Back Away”

“Back away” is a phrasal verb that means to move backward, usually slowly or cautiously, often to avoid something or as a reaction to fear or discomfort. It can also mean to withdraw or retreat from a situation or commitment.

Prepositions

• Before “back away”: Often used with the word “from” when specifying what is being avoided or retreated from.
  • Example: “He backed away from the aggressive dog.”
• After “back away”: Typically followed by the noun or noun phrase representing what is being avoided or moved away from.
  • Example: “She backed away from the edge of the cliff.”

Collocations

• Back away from
• Back away slowly
• Back away quickly
• Back away in fear

Example Sentences

1. She backed away from the angry dog, unsure of its intentions.
2. He decided to back away from the argument to avoid escalating the situation.
3. The crowd began to back away as the storm approached.
4. He backed away slowly when he saw the snake in the grass.
5. She felt a sense of panic and started to back away from the edge of the cliff.
6. He backed away in fear when the loud noise startled him.
7. They decided to back away from the project due to unforeseen complications.
8. The police officer told the onlookers to back away from the crime scene.
9. She backed away from the hot stove to avoid getting burned.
10. He felt uneasy and backed away from the strange man approaching him.
11. They backed away from the negotiation table after the terms became too demanding.
12. She backed away slowly from the large, aggressive animal.
13. He backed away in surprise when he realized the surprise party was for him.
14. The company chose to back away from the merger due to financial concerns.
15. They backed away from the cliff’s edge after realizing how dangerous it was.
16. He backed away from the angry customer who was yelling at him.
17. The participants were instructed to back away from the hazardous area.
18. She backed away cautiously when she saw the broken glass on the floor.
19. He backed away from the argument to avoid getting further involved.
20. The hikers backed away from the unstable rock formation to stay safe.
21. She backed away quickly when the dog barked loudly.
22. He backed away from the commitment when he realized he couldn’t meet the expectations.
23. The audience backed away from the stage as the performer began a dramatic stunt.
24. They backed away from the risky investment after reconsidering their options.
25. She backed away from the crowd to get some fresh air.
26. He backed away from the confrontation, hoping it would diffuse the tension.
27. The workers were told to back away from the construction site for safety reasons.
28. She backed away in hesitation when asked to make a public speech.
29. He backed away from the complex project, preferring something simpler.
30. The dog growled, causing everyone to back away from it.
31. They backed away from the fundraiser after realizing the costs were too high.
32. She backed away from the door when she heard strange noises inside.
33. He backed away from the tough decision, seeking more advice first.
34. The children backed away from the aggressive dog, unsure of what to do.
35. She backed away from the challenging situation, opting for a more manageable task.
36. He backed away slowly from the open ledge of the building.
37. The guests backed away from the performance area to give the performers space.
38. She backed away from the heated debate to cool off and gather her thoughts.
39. He backed away from the dangerous chemicals to avoid any accidents.
40. The locals backed away from the area due to the unexpected flood.
41. She backed away from the harsh criticism, needing time to process the feedback.
42. He backed away from the uncomfortable conversation to avoid further conflict.
43. The students backed away from the experiment when they saw it was becoming unstable.
44. She backed away from the risky venture after a thorough evaluation.
45. He backed away from the fight to prevent getting hurt.
46. The tourists backed away from the wild animal to ensure their safety.
47. She backed away from the deadline, requesting an extension.
48. He backed away from the highly competitive bid to focus on other projects.
49. The neighbors backed away from the house when they noticed the fire starting.
50. She backed away from the overcomplicated plan, preferring a simpler approach.