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back down
verb
(intr, adverb) to withdraw an earlier claim
(tr) rowing to cause (a boat) to move backwards by pushing rather than pulling on the oars
noun
abandonment of an earlier claim
Idioms and Phrases
Reverse one's upward course, descend. For example, When she saw the wasps' nest on the roof, she hastily backed down the ladder . This literal usage usually refers to something one has climbed, such as a ladder or mountain. [Mid-1800s]
Also, back off . Retreat or yield. For example, As the watchdog began to snarl the letter carrier backed off , or You have a good point; now don't back down when you present it to the board . [First half of 1900s] Also see back away , def. 2.
Example Sentences
A Hyeseong Kim throwing error led to one run in the sixth, trimming the Dodgers’ lead back down to two runs.
As the vans came in and out throughout the afternoon, activists at first blocked them but later backed down when federal agents shot pepper balls into the ground.
While the growing crowd flinched, they didn't back down either.
But they backed down following criticism that this would keep families apart, settling on a £29,000 threshold with plans to gradually increase it later.
But as he and his new wife Siobhan turned to walk back down the aisle, their wedding officiants said, "Wait."
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