fall back
[verb]
Synonyms: retreat, give back, retire, withdraw, recede, back, retract, retrocede, retrograde

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

fall back phrasal verb (see also fall)

1. if soldiers fall back, they move back because they are being attacked Synonym : retreat:
He yelled for his men to fall back.

2. to move backwards because you are very surprised, frightened etc:
Scott fell back a pace in astonishment.

3. British English to decrease Synonym : fall Antonym : rise:
When inflation started to rise, house prices fell back.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

fall back
to move back, to go back
The runner fell back from the other runners during the race.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

fall back
v. To move back; go back.
■ Usually used with a group as subject.
The army fell back before their stubborn enemies.
The crowd around the hurt boy fell back when someone shouted "Give him air!"
Compare: DROP BACK, GIVE WAY.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲