English verb: back down | |||
1. | back down (motion) move backwards from a certain position | ||
Samples | The bully had to back down. | ||
Synonyms | back off, back up | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | draw back, move back, pull away, pull back, recede, retire, retreat, withdraw | ||
2. | back down (social) remove oneself from an obligation | ||
Samples | He bowed out when he heard how much work was involved. | ||
Synonyms | back off, bow out, chicken out, pull out | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s. Somebody ----s PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | retire, withdraw | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | resile | ||
Verb group | get out, pull out | ||