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backing out

[ˈbækɪŋ aʊt]
verb (gerund/present participle)
recuando; desistindo; recuando com o carro
1. Moving a vehicle in reverse
He is backing out of the parking space.
Ele está recuando do espaço de estacionamento.
2. Withdrawing from a commitment, promise, or agreement
She is backing out of the deal at the last minute.
Ela está desistindo do acordo no último minuto.
3. Retreating or withdrawing from a difficult situation
Don't back out now; we're almost finished.
Não desista agora; estamos quase terminando.
NYC Slang
ditching, flaking out, bailing
Synonyms
withdrawingretreatingchickening outpulling outbailing out
Antonyms
committingfollowing throughproceedingadvancing

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
recuando; desistindo
Most common usage in Brazil for both vehicle movement and commitment withdrawal
São Paulo
recuando; desistindo
Standard usage, sometimes 'puxar o freio' for backing out of commitment
Rio de Janeiro
recuando; mancando
Colloquial: 'mancando' can mean backing out of a commitment
Portugal
recuando; desistindo
Standard Portuguese usage for both meanings

Related Idioms & Phrases

back out of a deal
back out of a commitment
back out gracefully
no backing out now
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