Back out means to withdraw from something you've already agreed to: a deal, a trip, taking part, a promise. Usually other people were counting on you, so the phrase carries a note of blame. The second meaning is literal: to drive backwards out of somewhere, such as a parking space.
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back out (of + deal/plan/trip); back out at the last minute; back + the car + out of + place
- We had booked the hall, but two sponsors backed out a week before the conference.
- I promised to help you move flats, so I can't back out now.
- Be careful when you back out of the parking space; there are kids playing nearby.
What changed
First versionTwo days before the wedding, the photographer backed out from the contract.
RevisionTwo days before the wedding, the photographer backed out of the contract.
Back out joins the agreement with of, not from: back out of a deal, back out of the trip. The logic is the same as in get out of: you're stepping out of the agreement.
Back down means to give in during an argument or drop a demand: After an hour of arguing, he finally backed down. Back out means breaking an agreement, not losing an argument. And back off means to stop pressuring someone: Back off, I need some space.
Your turn
Mark agreed to give a talk at our event, but yesterday he ___ because of a family emergency.
Show the answer
backed out — Mark agreed to give a talk and then withdrew, so backed out. Backed down would mean he gave in during an argument, but there was no argument here.
Describe a time when someone backed out of an agreement. Say what exactly they pulled out of and when it happened.
Our landlord backed out of the rental agreement two days before we were supposed to move in.
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