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Synonyms for back out


Grammar : Verb
Spell : bak
Phonetic Transcription : bæk

Top 10 synonyms for back out Other synonyms for the word back out

Définition of back out

Origin :
  • Old English bæc "back," from Proto-Germanic *bakam (cf. Old Saxon and Middle Dutch bak, Old Frisian bek), with no known connections outside Germanic.
  • The cognates mostly have been ousted in this sense in other modern Germanic languages by words akin to Modern English ridge (cf. Danish ryg, German Rücken). Many Indo-European languages show signs of once having distinguished the horizontal back of an animal (or a mountain range) from the upright back of a human. In other cases, a modern word for "back" may come from a word related to "spine" (Italian schiena, Russian spina) or "shoulder, shoulder blade" (Spanish espalda, Polish plecy).
  • To turn (one's) back on (someone or something) "ignore" is from early 14c. Behind (someone's) back "clandestinely" is from late 14c.
  • To know (something) like the back of one's hand, implying familiarity, is first attested 1893. The first attested use of the phrase is from a dismissive speech made to a character in Robert Louis Stevenson's "Catriona":
  • If I durst speak to herself, you may be certain I would never dream of trusting it to you; because I know you like the back of my hand, and all your blustering talk is that much wind to me.
  • The story, a sequel to "Kidnapped," has a Scottish setting and context, and the back of my hand to you was noted in the late 19th century as a Scottish expression meaning "I will have nothing to do with you" [e.g. "Jamieson's Dictionary of the Scottish Language"]. In English generally, the back of (one's) hand has been used to imply contempt and rejection since at least 1300. Perhaps the connection of a menacing dismissal is what made Stevenson choose that particular anatomical reference.
  • verb withdraw
Example sentences :
  • If I talk fight, I won't begin for no reason and then back out for no reason.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • I should hate to ask Sol Bangs for anything and then have to back out afterwards.
  • Extract from : « Cap'n Eri » by Joseph Crosby Lincoln
  • "I've gone too far to back out," admitted Boyne, patting the outside of his coat.
  • Extract from : « Blow The Man Down » by Holman Day
  • "You can back out, if you want to," added Richard, in an indifferent tone.
  • Extract from : « In School and Out » by Oliver Optic
  • If you are afraid, Sandy, back out, and we will go home again.
  • Extract from : « In School and Out » by Oliver Optic
  • After a moment the officers began to back out, one by one, through the doorway.
  • Extract from : « Lorraine » by Robert W. Chambers
  • She might feel that she ought to get a bit of her own back out of the plaintiff's solicitor.
  • Extract from : « Lady Bountiful » by George A. Birmingham
  • I don't want to back out while the rest of the fellows stick.
  • Extract from : « Down the Rhine » by Oliver Optic
  • He tried to back out, but dropped his reins and swore dutifully.
  • Extract from : « The Four Million » by O. Henry
  • It was monstrous unhandy to git to it, but I was termined not to back out.
  • Extract from : « Southern Literature From 1579-1895 » by Louise Manly
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019