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1. A retraction of a previously held position
   - withdrawal, climb-down

1. Move backwards from a certain position
   "The bully had to back down";
   - back up, back off
    
2. Remove oneself from an obligation
   "He backed down when he heard how much work was involved";
   - chicken out [informal], back off, pull out, bow out

Derived forms: backed down, backdowns, backing down, backs down

See also: back

Type of: abjuration, draw back, move back, pull away, pull back, recantation, recede, retire, retraction, retreat, withdraw