back out

verb backs out · backing out · backed out

1. transitive To reverse (a vehicle) from a confined space. He backed out of the garage.
2. intransitive To withdraw from something one has agreed to do. She backed out of organizing the fund-raising.
3. transitive To convince (someone) to withdraw from a challenge. "I can back you out." "How? Doin' what?" they asked. "Crossing the canal on the pole." "Shucks, you can't back me out," declared one of the boys, at which he darted across the swaying pole, and with a jump, landed safely across. Another boy went at it gingerly, and with the antics of a tight-rope wa
4. To bet on someone losing. 1921, Henry Luttrell, Crockford's : Or Life in the West Sketch No. III Whatever you throw is your chance. I called five for the main, which is the out chance, and threw seven to it, which is the in chance. If I throw five first, I lose, and if seven I win. You can back me in by betting the odds, or
5. transitive To undo (a change). I had to back out the changes made to the computer when it became apparent that they had stopped it working properly.
6. intransitive To exit a mode or function. I chose that menu option by accident, so I pressed Escape to back out.
7. Multicultural London English, transitive To draw from behind the back (a knife etc.) (as also bare back). Anything 4 get bun, back it out see the paigons run Can't believe that my door got spun, I just got nicked for a loaded gun