back away from — to move away from someone or something slowly, often because you are afraid, shocked, or want to avoid conflict
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to move away from someone or something slowly, often because you are afraid, shocked, or want to avoid conflict
Pronunciation (IPA): /bæk əˈweɪ frʌm/
Example Sentences
- When the teacher mentioned 'pop quiz', all students backed away from their desks like vampires from garlic.
- He backed away from the marriage proposal faster than a cat from water.
- The company decided to back away from the risky investment.
back away from
NOUN[/bæk əˈweɪ frʌm/]
to move away from someone or something slowly, often because you are afraid, shocked, or want to avoid conflict
to move away from someone or something slowly, often because you are afraid, shocked, or want to avoid conflict
When harsh words block the way, friends back away from what they meant to say
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb combines three Old English elements: 'back' (from Proto-Germanic *bakam, meaning rear or backward direction), 'away' (from Old English onweg, meaning at a distance), and 'from' (from Old English fram, meaning out of or away). Together they form a compound expression denoting the act of retreating or withdrawing both physically and metaphorically.
Breakdown
back (rear direction, backward motion) + away (at distance, removal) + from (source or origin point, separation). The structure emphasizes dual concepts of directional movement and spatial separation.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“When the teacher mentioned 'pop quiz', all students backed away from their desks like vampires from garlic.”
“He backed away from the marriage proposal faster than a cat from water.”
“The company decided to back away from the risky investment.”
“She backed away from the heated argument between her friends.”
📚Related Words
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