back away
phrasal verb.to move backwards slowly, usually because you are afraid or want to avoid a situation.
phrasal verb.to retreat or move backwards from a person or thing, often as a defensive or cautious response to a perceived threat or conflict.
“He sees the dog and starts to back away.”
“When the argument became heated, she decided to back away and let everyone calm down.”
“The witness began to back away from his original statement once the defense attorney presented the new forensic evidence.”
often followed by the preposition 'from' to indicate the source of the threat or conflict.
contrast with 'withdraw' (more formal) or 'retreat' (often military); 'back away' is physical and visual, making it easy to demonstrate in the classroom.
this phrasal verb requires the preposition 'from' when followed by an object.