back out

What does "back out" mean?

1. To withdraw from an agreement or commitment
2. To reverse a vehicle out of a space

Examples

• He backed out of the deal at the last minute.
• She's backing out of the driveway.
• You can't back out now - we're counting on you!
• The investor backed out after reviewing the financials.
• I had to back out of the parking spot carefully.

How to use it

'Back out of' is the common pattern for agreements. Implies breaking a commitment you've already made.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• back up

  To move backwards

• back down

  To withdraw from a position or demand

• back off

  To move away from someone or something

• get out

  To leave a place, room, or vehicle

• turn out

  To have a particular result or end in a certain way

• go out

  To leave your home for social activities or entertainment