to pull back
162
3.4
- phrasal verb
- /pʊl bæk/
:
retroceder
- After feeling overwhelmed, she decided to pull back from her commitments and focus on her well-being.
- then pulled back
When rates go up, people pull back and that's what's happening right now.
- When rates go up, people pull back and that's what's happening right now.
- But then he blinks and he really pulled back from World War Three.
- So we kind of saw the stock market actually pull back slightly.
- And so you have the direct threat approach of, of, of pulling back of monetary support.
- Oh, the camera's pulling back to reveal into the crowd.
- And The funny thing is it shows you areas where you pull back and areas where you lean forward.
- So course there's a time for pulling back and holding.
- It's not just the speed of delivering attacks, it's the ability to pull back and come again.
- After Truman and Korea, Eisenhower pulled back.
Examples
-
OK, so I started pulling back these vines.
-
So we kind of saw the stock market actually pull back slightly.
-
France is not going to pull back from nuclear.
-
What is it that that makes you pull back from your dreams?
-
If they decide to hit us, we'll have to pull back fast.
-
I'll give the orders to pull back.
-
Tell them to pull back around the rocks, out of range.
-
The boats have pulled back a safe distance.
-
The French army pulls back to better defensive terrain.
-
When rates go up, people pull back and that's what's happening right now.
Synonyms
466
2.8
To stop taking part in a place or activity
356
2.8
Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something
283
1.7
To step away to an earlier place
235
4.0
To move back from a place or plan to avoid danger
206
3.4
To stop being involved in an activity or agreement
129
3.4
Move out of the way or leave a job so someone else can take it
107
3.7
To stop insisting because others oppose you
86
3.5
To move away from people or a place to create space
82
5.3
To stop being part of or connected to something
79
3.4
Decide not to do something you promised to do
79
3.2
Leave an activity or agreement you had joined
59
3.9
Stop supporting or taking part in a plan because you feel unsure
57
3.7
To move back to a safer place when facing danger
53
3.8
Move away from people to a quieter place
29
4.8
To move back or become less strong
25
5.6
To pull something back so it is no longer sticking out
17
3.6
To move to a position behind other players, for example to prepare a pass or to help defend
17
2.0
To stop someone from going forward or entering
13
4.4
To move back from a place or activity to avoid danger and trouble
7
4.3
To stop giving help and approval to a person or group
4
4.1
To move backwards away from something because of fear or surprise
2
7.4
Move back suddenly in anger or protest
1
4.7
Move away because you are afraid or disgusted
1
4.0
To move back from a place or position, often to a safer spot
1
8.4
To officially take back a promise or plan
1
9.9
To back out of a promise or agreement
1
7.9
To change an earlier decision or statement because of pressure
To try to avoid doing something you promised or agreed to do
Take back a promise or support you gave
Antonyms
How Far
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'to withdraw or move backward' is directly derivable from combining 'pull' (to move something toward you) with 'back' (toward the rear), following a standard English verb+particle composition. Even the metaphorical use (withdrawing from a commitment) maps onto the spatial meaning and is therefore likely inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
Pull back gives a clear picture: you pull something toward your back or step backward to make space. So it now means 'to move away' or 'to withdraw' from a place, position, or promise.