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Glite Dictionary
to move back

to move back

283 1.7
To step away to an earlier place
  • phrasal verb
  • /muːv bæk/
translation icon : retroceder
  • As the storm approached, we had to move back from the shore to avoid getting wet.
  • people move back
  • move back and forth
  • hands move back

Girl, you are moving back to your original house.

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Examples

  • I met my boyfriend last year after I moved back home due to COVID.

  • It's time for us to start moving back in that direction.

  • We have orders to move back to the front immediately.

    Paths of Glory (1957)

  • After the divorce, he moved back to France.

    Kindergarten Cop (1990)

  • Now Don had written to say that he and Ruth were moving back to Arizona.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Please disperse and move back!

    Walkout (2006)

  • She's just moved back to town... -...and wants to meet people!

    Blind Date (1987)

  • "Well, you won't do that," Glen said, moving back to the door, "but have a nice visit."

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Please move back now.

    Virtuosity (1995)

  • He retired from the D.O.D. about 20 years ago, moved back to Boston.

    Carnage (1984)

Synonyms

to return
vsto move back
∞ 1.0

Go back to a place, state or activity

is mainly about leaving a place due to threat, not coming back
to back
vsto move back
475 1.0

To move in the direction behind you

is broader and often involves leaving because of orders or danger
to withdraw
vsto move back
466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

is mainly physical action of leaving a place in response to danger or orders
to back up
vsto move back
  • Specialized
238 2.7

Move backwards to make space or avoid something

is not limited to vehicles and covers other responses to threat
to retreat
vsto move back
235 4.0

To move back from a place or plan to avoid danger

is often a more direct action when ordered or threatened
to pull back
vsto move back
162 3.4

To move yourself and things backward from a place, person, or situation

is commonly used for creating distance in response to threat or orders
to stand back
vsto move back
159 1.6

Move away and keep a safe distance from something or someone for safety

is the action of leaving a position because of danger or orders
to turn back
vsto move back
159 2.1

To go back to a previous place or state

is about leaving a place mainly because of threat or orders, not simple reversal
to pull away
vsto move back
86 3.5

To move away from people or a place to create space

is often a planned or forced leaving because of danger or orders
to back away
vsto move back
59 3.9

Stop supporting or taking part in a plan because you feel unsure

is more about leaving a place or position under threat or orders
to fall back
vsto move back
57 3.7

To move back to a safer place when facing danger

is the broad idea of leaving a place often because of threat or orders
to retire
vsto move back
53 3.8

Move away from people to a quieter place

is often an immediate response to threat or orders rather than seeking privacy
to backtrack
vsto move back
42 4.3

To go back along the same route you have just taken

is a general leaving that may not follow the same route
to recede
vsto move back
29 4.8

To move back or become less strong

is mainly an active response to threat or orders rather than gradual change
to double back
vsto move back
27 3.7

To turn around and go back the way you came

is broader and may not follow the same route when leaving
to drop back
vsto move back
17 3.6

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

is about leaving a place or position often because of danger or orders
to retreat from
vsto move back
13 4.4

To move back from a place or activity to avoid danger and trouble

is more general and may apply without naming a specific source
to draw back
vsto move back
4 4.1

To move backwards away from something because of fear or surprise

is broader and covers both planned and forced leaving
to rear back
vsto move back
  • Informal
2 7.4

Move back suddenly in anger or protest

is a general planned or ordered leaving not mainly emotional
to drop off
vsto move back
1 4.0

To move back from a place or position, often to a safer spot

is usually an immediate or ordered departure rather than gradual
to countermarch
vsto move back
  • Specialized
9.6

March back together as a group, especially soldiers

is a general leaving of a place without military formation
to hotstep back
vsto move back
  • Archaic
8.4

Move quickly backward because you are surprised or afraid

is usually slower or ordered rather than a quick startled jump

Antonyms

to approach
532 2.1

To move closer in space to a person or thing

to advance
417 3.4

To help something move forward or become better

How Far

to flee
331 2.4
to withdraw
466 2.8
retreat
93 4.4
to move back
283 1.7
to recoil
19 4.9
to step back
101 3.6

Surface Forms

move back infinitive
moved back past
moved back past participle
moving back present participle
moves back third person singular

Morphology

move + back

The meaning 'to pull away or retreat' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'move' (change position) with 'back' (toward the rear or away). This verb + directional adverb pattern is a common, compositional construction in English (and parallels exist in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will reliably infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb move back comes from the simple image of stepping backwards: you take a step so you are farther from what is in front of you and your back moves toward your starting place. So it means 'to move away' or 'to go to an earlier or more distant position', for example to give people space or to pull away from danger.