has backed out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has backed out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone withdraws from a commitment or agreement. Example: "She has backed out of the project at the last minute, leaving the team in a difficult position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He has backed out of signing a deal a number of times and many believe the move is a delaying tactic.

Independent

Mr. Saleh, known for his political cunning, has backed out of signing the regional council's initiative in the past, which is partly why Yemen's opposition leaders want Mr. Saleh to immediately transfer all power to his deputy.

The New York Times

BACKS OUT OF BIG EAST Boise State has backed out on a commitment to join the Big East and will remain a member of the Mountain West in 2013.

The New York Times - Sports

If a seller wins a suit against a buyer who has backed out, damages can be devastating, said H. Rodgin Cohen, a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York.

The New York Times

But it has backed out of deals before.

The New York Times

While the government has backed out of the controversy for now, the forces that support such a proposal may win.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

They were relieved to have backed out, realizing that repairs would have been beyond their means.

The New York Times

The Matron of Honor was furious because Seymour had backed out at the last minute.

The New Yorker

Another pilot had backed out because he found the on-the-ground tests physically intolerable.

The New York Times

Suspecting gorpetri had backed out because of authentication issues, Mr. Emling asked for proof the painting was by Banksy.

The New York Times

Hunter said that several of the schools had backed out since the incident, but that Utah and Texas Tech remained interested.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has backed out" to clearly indicate a withdrawal from a commitment or agreement. Ensure the context makes it clear what the subject is withdrawing from.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "backed out". While "backed out of" is correct, avoid constructions like "backed out in" or "backed out at".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has backed out" functions as a compound verb indicating the action of withdrawing from a commitment or agreement. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which presents numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has backed out" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone has withdrawn from a commitment or agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to slightly informal register. While alternatives like "has withdrawn" or "has pulled out" exist, "has backed out" is a direct and easily understood way to convey this meaning. Pay attention to the preposition following the phrase; "out of" is generally the correct choice. Ludwig's examples highlight the wide range of situations in which this phrase can be appropriately used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has withdrawn

Replaces "backed out" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of taking oneself out of an agreement.

has pulled out

Uses a more informal synonym for "backed out", suggesting a less formal withdrawal.

has backed away from

Emphasizes the act of distancing oneself from a previous commitment.

has reneged on

Indicates a failure to fulfill a promise or agreement, adding a negative connotation.

has cancelled

Focuses specifically on the cancellation of a planned event or agreement.

has opted out

Emphasizes the choice to not participate.

has defaulted on

Suggests a failure to meet an obligation, often financial.

has abandoned

Implies a more complete and possibly irresponsible withdrawal.

rescinded

Indicates formal retraction or annulment.

has recanted

Suggests a formal retraction of a previously held belief or statement.

FAQs

What does "has backed out" mean?

The phrase "has backed out" means that someone has withdrawn from a commitment, agreement, or plan. It implies a decision to no longer participate or follow through with something previously agreed upon.

What can I say instead of "has backed out"?

You can use alternatives like "has withdrawn", "has pulled out", or "has reneged on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has backed out of" or just "has backed out"?

Both are correct, but "has backed out of" is more common when specifying what the person or entity is withdrawing from. "Has backed out" can be used when the context is already clear. For example, "He has backed out of the deal" or "He has backed out".

What's the difference between "has backed out" and "has changed their mind"?

"Has backed out" implies a previous commitment or agreement that is now being withdrawn from. "Has changed their mind" simply means that someone's opinion or intention has shifted, without necessarily implying a prior commitment.