back out
/bæk aʊt/
VERB
1. To withdraw from an agreement or commitment
To decide not to do something that one has previously agreed, promised, or committed to do.
1.1. Withdrawing from an agreement or promise
To abandon a commitment, agreement, or promise after previously accepting or making it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- She decided to back out of the agreement at the last minute.
- The investor backed out of the deal after discovering unexpected risks.
- He promised to help us and cannot simply back out now.
Related Words
- commitment
- agreement
- obligation
- promise
- withdrawal
1.2. Abandoning a planned activity or event
To withdraw from participation in an event, competition, investment, or planned activity.
Synonyms
- withdraw
- pull out
- drop out
- bow out
- cancel
- beg off
- cry off
Antonyms
- participate
- take part
- go ahead
Examples
- The performer had to back out of the concert because of an illness.
- Several participants backed out of the competition before it began.
- She backed out of the investment after reviewing the financial risks.
Related Words
VERB
2. To reverse a vehicle out of a confined space
To drive or move a vehicle backward out of a parking space, driveway, or other restricted area.
2.1. Reversing a vehicle
Moving a vehicle backward to leave a parking space, garage, driveway, or enclosed area.
Synonyms
- reverse
- back up
- reverse out
Antonyms
- drive forward
- pull in
Examples
- She carefully backed out of the driveway.
- He checked his mirrors before backing out of the parking space.
- The driver slowly backed the truck out of the narrow garage.
Related Words
VERB
3. To undo or reverse a change
To reverse a previous change or restore something to an earlier state.
3.1. Reversing a change or modification
To undo an earlier action, modification, or adjustment and return to a previous state.
Synonyms
- undo
- reverse
- roll back
- revert
- revoke
Antonyms
- implement
- apply
- confirm
Examples
- The administrator backed out the latest software update after discovering a serious bug.
- The developers backed out the changes that caused the application to crash.
Related Words
- modification
- revision
- rollback
- restoration
- change