# back out

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/back-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to decide not to do something you previously agreed to do.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He backed out the agreement." but "He backed out of the agreement." — when an object follows, the preposition 'of' must be used after the particle 'out'.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.