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Glite Dictionary
to stand back

to stand back

159 1.6
Move away and keep a safe distance from something or someone for safety
  • phrasal verb
  • /stænd bæk/
translation icon : apartarse
  • Please stand back from the edge of the cliff for your safety.
  • stand back and watch
  • stand back and look
  • let us stand back

And so yes, of course, we'll just stand back and watch what humans do.

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Examples

  • At the end, you stand back and say, 'Man, I did that!'

    Academic text (2014)

  • Perhaps this is an especially appropriate time to stand back in admiration.

    Academic text (2003)

  • OK, set these in here, stand back and take a look.

  • It's also something that he can stand back from and consider at a distance.

  • Stand back, let him through.

    The Front Page (1974)

  • We can observe the changes, stand back, and let them happen.

    Academic text (2010)

  • As the flames rise, the women stand back from the intense heat.

    Academic text (2007)

  • But at some point, you have to stand back, reassess yourself.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Please stand back.

    97 Minutes (2023)

  • Stand back.

    Gladiator (2000)

Synonyms

to stay away
vsto stand back
590 1.6

Keep a distance from people or things you want to avoid

emphasizes physical distancing often for safety or to avoid getting involved
to back off
vsto stand back
  • Informal
356 2.8

Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something

focuses on keeping distance often for safety rather than argument withdrawal
to move back
vsto stand back
283 1.7

To step away to an earlier place

is about keeping distance for safety or to avoid involvement
to keep away
vsto stand back
187 1.6

Stop someone or something from coming near

is about stepping back or staying away rather than actively preventing approach
to sit back
vsto stand back
  • Informal
103 3.5

To do nothing when you should help

is about physically keeping distance or avoiding involvement, often for safety
to turn away
vsto stand back
94 2.3

Move your body so you do not face someone or something

involves making space or staying away rather than just changing facing direction
to fall back
vsto stand back
57 3.7

To move back to a safer place when facing danger

covers moving away for safety or to avoid involvement in general cases
to hang back
vsto stand back
34 4.6

To hesitate and stay behind the group

is about deliberate distancing often for safety rather than mere hesitation
to keep one's distance
vsto stand back
32 3.9

To stay away from people or things to avoid close contact

is similarly about distance but often for immediate safety or noninvolvement
to drop back
vsto stand back
17 3.6

To move to a position behind other players, for example to prepare a pass or to help defend

means creating distance but usually by retreating position rather than general avoidance
to keep at arm's length
vsto stand back
10 6.3

To avoid getting too close to someone or something, often emotionally

is about keeping distance often for safety rather than cautious social distance

Antonyms

to engage
676 3.4

To take part in an activity

to approach
532 2.1

To move closer in space to a person or thing

How Far

retreat
93 4.4
to stand back
159 1.6
to move back
283 1.7

Surface Forms

stand back infinitive
standing back present participle
stands back third person singular
stood back past
stood back past participle

Morphology

stand + back

The meaning 'to move away or keep a distance' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'stand' (remain in a position) with 'back' (toward the rear or away). This motion/particle combination is a regular, compositional English pattern and would be readily understood by a B1 learner who knows both constituents, especially in safety contexts like 'stand back from the edge.'

Etymology

Stand back comes from a simple command used in dangerous places: telling people to stand and move back to give space. That's why it now means 'to move away' or 'keep a distance', often for 'safety' or to avoid getting involved.