Back out of Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbæk/ /ˈaʊt/ /ˈəv

BAK-owt-uhv

UK

bˈæk/ /ˈaʊt/ /ˈɒv

BAK-owt-ov

Definition

To decide not to do something you had promised or agreed to do, often at the last moment.

Usage & Nuances

'Back out of' is usually used for commitments, plans, or agreements. It often implies disappointing others. Common collocations: 'back out of a deal', 'back out of an agreement'. It's informal but suitable for both spoken and written contexts.

• Spanish: echarse atrás de - retirarse de
• Portuguese (BR): desistir de - voltar atrás de
• Portuguese (PT): desistir de - voltar atrás de
• Chinese (Simplified): 临时退出 - 食言
• Chinese (Traditional): 臨時退出 - 食言
• Hindi: से पीछे हटना
• Arabic: التراجع عن
• Bengali: প্রতিশ্রুতি ভঙ্গ করা - সিদ্ধান্ত থেকে সরে আসা
• Russian: отказаться от (обязательства) - выйти из (соглашения)
• Japanese: 約束を破る - 手を引く
• Vietnamese: rút lui khỏi - không thực hiện (cam kết)
• Korean: 약속을 어기다 - 물러나다
• Turkish: vazgeçmek - caymak (anlaşmadan/vaatten)
• Urdu: پیچھے ہٹنا - وعدہ توڑنا
• Indonesian: membatalkan - mundur dari (komitmen/kesepakatan)

Example Sentences

He decided to back out of the competition.

basic

She can't back out of her promise now.

basic

They tried to back out of the agreement at the last minute.

basic

Don't back out of our plans now, everything is already set!

natural

The company backed out of the deal without giving a reason.

natural

I can't believe you want to back out of helping me move.

natural