Back off and Start

Related terms

Back off verb - To break a promise or agreement.

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Start and back off are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Start" instead a verb "Back off".

Start verb - To move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise).

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Back off and start are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Back off" instead a verb "Start".

Nearby Words: started, startled, starting, starter, startup

Usually when he thinks a girl is coming onto him sexually, he'll back off, say they're too young for such things, and should start things slow.

Source: Chivalrous Pervert
And again, while in the clearing, things start happening again, and the crew member has signs of bleeding from his ears, again, forcing the crew to back off for safety.

Source: Series / Destination Truth
Even outside of the tutorial, AI characters will sometimes charge the turrets (though they will at least back off once they start taking damage).

Source: Video Game / Awesomenauts

Cite this Source

Start and Back off. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_off/start

Back off & Start. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_off/start>.

Start or Back off. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_off/start.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "back off" and "start" have occurred on timeline