To back out

To back out
Back Back, v. i. 1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. [1913 Webster]

2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; -- used of the wind. [1913 Webster]

3. (Sporting) To stand still behind another dog which has pointed; -- said of a dog. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

{To back and fill}, to manage the sails of a ship so that the wind strikes them alternately in front and behind, in order to keep the ship in the middle of a river or channel while the current or tide carries the vessel against the wind. Hence: (Fig.) To take opposite positions alternately; to assert and deny. [Colloq.]

{To back out}, {To back down}, to retreat or withdraw from a promise, engagement, or contest; to recede. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

Cleon at first . . . was willing to go; but, finding that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to back out. --Jowett (Thucyd. ) [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • back out — {v. phr.} 1. To move backwards out of a place or enclosure. * /Bob slowly backed his car out of the garage./ 2. To withdraw from an activity one has promised to carry out. * /Jim tried to back out of the engagement with Jane, but she insisted… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • back out — {v. phr.} 1. To move backwards out of a place or enclosure. * /Bob slowly backed his car out of the garage./ 2. To withdraw from an activity one has promised to carry out. * /Jim tried to back out of the engagement with Jane, but she insisted… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • back out — verb a) To reverse a vehicle from a confined space. He backed out of the garage. b) To withdraw from something one has promised to do. She backed out of organizing the fund raising …   Wiktionary

  • Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back Out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby — Infobox Album | Name = Caught in a Trap and I Can t Back Out Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby Type = Album Artist = Mark Eitzel Released = 1998 Recorded = Genre = rock music Length = Label = Matador Records Producer = Reviews = Last album = West… …   Wikipedia

  • back out — intransitive verb Date: 1807 to withdraw especially from a commitment or contest …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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  • Back — Back, v. i. 1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; used of the wind. [1913 Webster] 3. (Sporting) To stand still behind… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Out All Night — Genre Sitcom Created by Andy Borowitz Susan Borowitz Rob Edwards Written by Andy Borowitz Susan Borowitz Jeffrey Duteil Rob Edwards Lloyd Garver Michelle Jones Caryn Lucas Eric Pomerance B. Mark Seabrooks Devon Shepard …   Wikipedia

  • back up — {v.} 1. To move backwards. * /The train was backing up./ 2. To help or be ready to help; stay behind to help; agree with and speak in support of. * /Jim has joined the Boy Scouts and his father is backing him up./ * /The principal backs up the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • back up — {v.} 1. To move backwards. * /The train was backing up./ 2. To help or be ready to help; stay behind to help; agree with and speak in support of. * /Jim has joined the Boy Scouts and his father is backing him up./ * /The principal backs up the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

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