stand back
phrasal verb
stood back; standing back; stands back
1
: to take a few steps backwards
The paramedics told the crowd to stand back.
2
: to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time in order to think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
It's time to stand back and take a long hard look at your problems.
Examples of stand back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Biden told us 'America is back' yet stood back on the sidelines as Putin marched into Ukraine and enabled Israel's destabilising total war in Gaza.
—
Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Drive through your left heel to stand back up and return to the starting position.
—Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 14 Jan. 2025
Savage handed Honor a notebook and a pen (the scene in question involved a Christmas list) and stood back, looking her daughter over.
—Lauren Hilgers, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Pause briefly at the bottom of the squat, then stand back up.
—Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025
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Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Drive through your left heel to stand back up and return to the starting position.
—Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 14 Jan. 2025
Savage handed Honor a notebook and a pen (the scene in question involved a Christmas list) and stood back, looking her daughter over.
—Lauren Hilgers, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Pause briefly at the bottom of the squat, then stand back up.
—Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stand back
Dictionary Entries Near stand back
Cite this Entry
“Stand back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand%20back. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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