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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

"Not funny. Listen, my proposition is that if you back off this Tiny Dancer business, I will—well, what do you want me to do? Because I'll do anything."

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan