back offverb

• 1

  To move backwards away from something.

  • I tried to back off slowly from the tiger in my path.
• 2

  To become less aggressive, particularly when one had appeared committed to act.

  • You need to back off, or the situation could turn ugly.
  • I was going to sue until my legal advisors told me to back off.
• 3

  To lower the setting of.

  • Could you back off the volume a bit? It’s really loud.
• 4

  Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see back, off.

  • The machine may go back off if it gets too hot. [= turn off again, turn back off].