Phrasal Verbs

back out

This page is about the phrasal verb back out

Meaning

If you back out of something like an agreement or a deal, you decide not to follow through on it.

Synonym

pull out

For example

  • back out Our boss had agreed to increase our wages this year, but the economy went bad and he backed out, claiming his profits had fallen too much.

  • back out of sth The government backed out of its pledge to build more schools, saying it needed the money for war weapons instead.

Quick Quiz

The company backed out of the deal, saying it was

a. an excellent deal

b. no longer possible

c. pleased with the agreement
a) an excellent deal b) no longer possible c) pleased with the agreement

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey