Phrasal verb
back out
Definition
phrasal verb. to decide not to do something you previously agreed to do.
phrasal verb. to withdraw from a commitment, agreement, or undertaking before it is completed.
Examples
“He promised to help, but he backed out at the last minute.”
“The investors decided to back out of the deal when they saw the company's falling profits.”
“Although the contract had been drafted, the lead architect chose to back out, citing irreconcilable creative differences with the primary developer.”
Examples
simple
“He promised to help, but he backed out at the last minute.”
contextual
“The investors decided to back out of the deal when they saw the company's falling profits.”
complex
“Although the contract had been drafted, the lead architect chose to back out, citing irreconcilable creative differences with the primary developer.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “back out” in context.
Verb
01. back out and apologize
“He had to back out and apologize for the inconvenience he caused the team.”
verb + and + verb
02. suddenly back out
“The investors suddenly backed out of the project, leaving us without any funding.”
adv + verb
03. try to back out
“It is too late to try to back out now that the contracts have been signed.”
verb + infinitive
Noun
04. attempt to back out
“The company's attempt to back out of the deal led to a lengthy legal battle.”
noun + infinitive
05. decision to back out
“Her decision to back out of the race surprised all of her supporters.”
noun + infinitive
06. reason to back out
“Do you have a valid reason to back out of our agreement at the last minute?”
noun + infinitive
Usage
often followed by the preposition 'of' when the specific commitment is mentioned.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'cancel'; 'back out' implies a withdrawal from a social or legal obligation that was already in motion.
Pitfall
He backed out the agreement.
He backed out of the agreement.
when an object follows, the preposition 'of' must be used after the particle 'out'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
back + out (+ of + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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