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pull back

[/pʊl bæk/]
verb (phrasal)
recuar, puxar para trás, retirar-se
1. to move something backward or toward oneself by pulling
Pull back the curtains to let the sunlight in.
Puxe as cortinas para trás para deixar a luz entrar.
2. to withdraw or retreat from a position, situation, or commitment
The company decided to pull back from the market after poor sales.
A empresa decidiu se retirar do mercado após vendas fracas.
3. to restrain or control oneself
He had to pull back from saying something he would regret.
Ele teve que se conter para não dizer algo que lamentaria.
4. to reduce involvement, spending, or commitment
The government is pulling back on infrastructure investment.
O governo está reduzindo o investimento em infraestrutura.
NYC Slang
back off, chill out (when meaning to restrain oneself)
Synonyms
withdrawretreatback awaydraw backrecoil
Antonyms
advancemove forwardpush forwardproceed

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
recuar, puxar para trás, retirar-se
Most common in all contexts
São Paulo
voltar atrás
Used for withdrawal from decisions or commitments
Portugal
recuar, puxar para trás, afastar-se
Similar usage to Brazilian Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

pull back from the brink
pull back the curtain (on something)
know when to pull back
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