back down from a plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back down from a plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone decides to withdraw or abandon a previously made decision or commitment. Example: "After much consideration, she decided to back down from the plan to move to another city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That campaign forced the government to back down from a plan to use the curriculum to promote "a sense of national belonging and identity" among schoolchildren.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Irrawaddy, an online news site, reported last week that the Rakhine State government in April backed down from a plan to resettle Muslims after Buddhist villagers objected.

The New York Times

The government appears to be backing down from a plan to outlaw the leading opposition parties, Al Wefaq and Islamic Action, after protests from America and Britain.

The Guardian

Voters thronged to polling stations across Hong Kong on Sunday, a day after the local government backed down from a plan to introduce mandatory pro-Beijing patriotic education in the territory's schools.

The New York Times

I am not one to back down from a challenge, so I felt that if the race continued as planned, then I needed to be there.

Huffington Post

I'm not going to back down from a challenge".

The New York Times - Sports

He will not back down from a challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

We don't back down from a fight, we New Yorkers".

The New York Times

Unsympathetic, he told me, ?Never back down from a bully.

Science Magazine

As my father told me back in junior high school, ?Never back down from a bully.

Science Magazine

Never back down from a challenge!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back down from a plan" when you want to emphasize that a decision to abandon a previously set plan was made, often due to external pressure or opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "back down" when you mean to provide support or assistance. "Back down" implies retreat or abandonment, while "backing up" means providing support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back down from a plan" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of retracting or abandoning a previously made plan. Ludwig confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back down from a plan" describes the action of withdrawing or retreating from a previously set plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and understandable. While it is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its neutral tone makes it applicable across various contexts. If a more formal tone is desired, alternatives such as "abandon the plan" or "rescind the plan" could be considered. Remember to avoid confusing it with "backing up", which has a different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon the plan

Focuses on completely giving up the plan without necessarily implying external pressure.

rescind the plan

Implies a formal withdrawal or cancellation of the plan.

withdraw the plan

Emphasizes the act of taking back or retracting the plan.

reconsider the plan

Suggests a review of the plan with the possibility of changes or abandonment.

shelve the plan

Implies putting the plan on hold, possibly indefinitely.

table the plan

Similar to 'shelve', indicating a postponement of the plan for later discussion.

retreat from the plan

Highlights a strategic withdrawal from the plan, often due to opposition.

reverse course on the plan

Indicates a complete change in direction regarding the plan.

modify the plan

Focuses on making changes to the existing plan, rather than abandoning it entirely.

scale back the plan

Suggests reducing the scope or ambition of the plan.

FAQs

What does "back down from a plan" mean?

It means to withdraw or retreat from a previously decided course of action or strategy.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "back down from a plan"?

Use it when someone decides not to proceed with a plan, often because of opposition, challenges, or reconsideration.

Are there any alternatives to saying "back down from a plan"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "abandon the plan", "rescind the plan", or "withdraw the plan" depending on the context.

Is "back down from a plan" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional writing.