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.

“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

To back off from that charge, district officials proposed raising average class sizes in kindergarten through fourth grade from 24-to-1 to 28-to-1, according to the district.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Marc Leonard, summoning every ounce of venom he could muster, thumped one on goal and it came slapping back off the crossbar.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

And before I say anything, she says, “You’re going to tell me to back off again, aren’t you?”

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King