draw back
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draw back
1. To move backwards, away from someone or something. The baby drew back when the cat started meowing at her. As soon as I heard the buzzing bees, I drew back from the flowers.
2. To abandon a plan or course of action. I had hoped to play baseball again this year, but I had to draw back after I broke my foot in the first game of the season.
3. To retreat or withdraw. The troops were so outnumbered that they were forced to draw back.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
draw back
1. Retreat, as in The heckler drew back into the crowd to avoid being identified. [c. 1300]
2. Withdraw from an undertaking, as in I was too deeply committed to draw back now. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
draw back
v.
1. To retreat: The soldiers drew back after a night of intense fighting. When the general gave the order, the regiment drew back.
2. To recoil from someone or something: The dog drew back when my friend moved to pet it. He reached out to me, but I drew back.
3. To decide not to follow a planned course of action: The politician drew back from seeking candidacy this year.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.