fall back (B2)
phrasal verb
Pronunciation: /fɔːl bæk/
Definition
To retreat or withdraw from a position, often in a military context, or to rely on a secondary plan or resource when a primary one fails.
Examples
The troops were ordered to fall back to a more defensible position.
If our main server crashes, we will have to fall back on the emergency backup system.
When his initial argument failed, he had to fall back on a different set of facts.
How to Use fall back
- fall back on (phrasal verb)
- To rely on something or someone for support when other things have failed. — "When the internet went down, we had to fall back on our printed maps."
- fall back to (prepositional phrase)
- To retreat to a specific location. — "The team decided to fall back to the base camp after the storm worsened."
Synonyms of fall back
Words with a similar meaning to fall back:
Antonyms of fall back
Words with the opposite meaning to fall back:
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