back away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to retreat or distance themselves from a situation, person, or object. Example: "When the dog started barking aggressively, I had to back away from it slowly to avoid provoking it further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I couldn't slowly back away from Supertramp.

The New York Times

Back away from the streaming CNBC content.

The Guardian - Money

"I don't back away from that".

The New York Times - Sports

We did not back away from commitments.

The New York Times

Keep your shoulders down and back, away from your ears.

Harvard University

This is no time to back away from testing.

The New York Times

On Friday, she did not back away from that position.

The New York Times

Some people will back away from this challenge.

The New York Times

The military council needs to back away from politics.

The New York Times

Bad guys tend to back away from him.

Independent

But he may still back away from the plan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back away from" when you want to convey a sense of retreat or avoidance, whether physical or metaphorical. For example, "Back away from the edge" or "Back away from the argument".

Common error

Avoid using "back away from" when a more direct verb like "reject" or "refuse" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "back away from the offer", use "reject the offer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back away from" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, expressing the act of withdrawing, retreating, or distancing oneself from something. Ludwig AI examples show it used both literally (physically moving away) and figuratively (withdrawing from a commitment or position).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

21%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "back away from" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of withdrawing or retreating, both physically and metaphorically. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, primarily in news and media, academic, and wiki sources. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or scientific writing. When aiming for precision in your writing, consider the nuances of related phrases like "retreat from" or ""withdraw from"" to ensure the most appropriate expression of your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retreat from

Implies a formal or strategic withdrawal from a situation or position.

withdraw from

Suggests a deliberate removal of oneself or something from a situation.

step back from

Indicates taking a break or creating distance from a task or commitment.

recede from

Implies a gradual withdrawal or decrease in involvement.

distance oneself from

Highlights the act of creating emotional or physical separation.

disengage from

Suggests a formal or decisive withdrawal from an activity or conflict.

pull back from

Implies a reluctant or forced withdrawal from something.

opt out of

Focuses on choosing not to participate or be involved.

abstain from

Emphasizes refraining from something, often due to moral or ethical reasons.

shy away from

Indicates avoiding something due to fear or reluctance.

FAQs

How can I use "back away from" in a sentence?

You can use "back away from" to describe physically moving away from something, as in "I had to back away from the fire because it was too hot". It can also be used metaphorically, like "The company decided to "withdraw from" the deal after discovering hidden costs".

What's a synonym for "back away from"?

Several phrases can replace "back away from", including "retreat from", ""withdraw from"", or "step back from". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "back away from" instead of "avoid"?

"Back away from" suggests a more immediate or reactive withdrawal, often from a specific threat or problem. "Avoid" is broader and implies preventing something from happening in the first place. For example, "I had to back away from the snake" versus "I try to avoid snakes whenever possible".

Is "back away from" formal or informal language?

The phrase "back away from" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "retreat from" might be preferred in highly formal writing.