backing out

(verb) move out of a space backwards. Synonyms: back out. Example: "He backed out of the driveway."

(verb) make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity. Synonyms: retreat, pull back, back out, back away, crawfish, crawfish out, pull in one's horns, withdraw. Examples: "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him." "He backed out of his earlier promise." "The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns."