back out

To decide not to do something that you previously agreed to do.

• It is too late to back out.
• He backed out of the agreement yesterday.
• Are you backing out of joining our team?

How to use it: back out of something (He backed out of the deal.); back out of doing something (She backed out of helping us move.)

Similar words: withdraw, pull out

Common phrases: back out suddenly, back out now

To move a vehicle backwards out of a space.

• Back out slowly and watch for cars.
• She backed out of the driveway.
• Can you back the van out without hitting the wall?

How to use it: back out of something (She backed out of the garage.); back something out of something (He backed the truck out of the narrow yard.)

Similar words: reverse out

Common phrases: back out slowly, back out carefully

To remove a change and return something to its earlier state.

• We need to back out this change.
• The team backed out the update after several errors.
• Can you back the patch out without losing our data?

How to use it: back something out (We backed the update out after it caused errors.); back out something from something (The developer backed out the changes from the latest version.)

Similar words: undo, revert, reverse

Opposites: apply

Common phrases: back out changes, back out something

To persuade someone to give up a challenge they had agreed to take on.

• They hoped to back out their opponent.
• Her friends backed her out of the challenge.
• He tried to back me out of the contest.

How to use it: back someone out of something (His friends backed him out of the duel.)

Similar words: talk out of, dissuade

Common phrases: back out someone, back out opponents

To bet that a person or competitor will lose.

• He decided to back out the favourite.
• She backed out that horse because it looked tired.
• They backed out the champion and won when he lost.

How to use it: back out someone/something (The bettor chose to back out the favourite.)

Similar words: bet against

Common phrases: back out someone, back out competitors

To pull out a weapon that was hidden behind your back.

• He reached behind himself to back out a knife.
• The guard backed out a dagger from behind his back.
• She backed out her hidden blade as the attacker approached.

How to use it: back out something (He backed out a dagger hidden behind his belt.)

Similar words: draw, pull out

Opposites: sheathe

Common phrases: back out daggers, back out something