Back out Meaning in English
expression
ˈbæk/ /ˈaʊt
BAK-owt
bˈæk/ /ˈaʊt
BAK-owt
Definition
To decide not to do something you agreed to before or to withdraw from a promise or arrangement.
Usage & Nuances
'Back out' is informal; usually used when someone breaks an agreement or changes their mind. Common collocations: 'back out of a deal', 'back out at the last minute'. Not used for physical movement—'back away' is for physical retreat.
Spanish: echarse atrás - retractarsePortuguese (BR): desistir - voltar atrásPortuguese (PT): desistir - voltar atrásChinese (Simplified): 取消（承诺） - 食言Chinese (Traditional): 取消（承諾） - 食言Hindi: पीछे हटनाArabic: يتراجعBengali: পিছে সরে যাওয়া - প্রতিশ্রুতি থেকে পিছিয়ে যাওয়াRussian: отказаться - уклониться (от обязательства)Japanese: 手を引く - 約束を破るVietnamese: rút lui - rút lại (lời hứa)Korean: 손을 떼다 - 약속을 취소하다Turkish: vazgeçmek - sözünden dönmekUrdu: پیچھے ہٹ جانا - وعدہ واپس لیناIndonesian: membatalkan - mundur (dari perjanjian)
Example Sentences
He promised to help but then backed out.
basic
She tried to back out of the agreement.
basic
Don’t back out at the last minute.
basic
They said they’d join us, but they backed out without explaining why.
natural
When money got tight, he tried to back out of the deal.
natural
I knew he would back out if things got complicated.
natural