# dial back

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dial-back
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To reduce (one's energy or intensity); to restrain (a feeling or action).

## Examples

- You should dial back your energy a little.
- The boss asked the team to dial back their spending until the new budget is approved.
- After the initial excitement of the project launch, the manager advised the team to dial back their intensity to avoid burnout before the final deadline.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.