back out meaning and definition

BACK OUT verb

Definition of back out (verb)

1. move out of a space backwards
   • "He backed out of the driveway"
2. make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
   • "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him"; "He backed out of his earlier promise"; "The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns"
   • synonyms: back away, crawfish, crawfish out, pull back, pull in one's horns, retreat, withdraw