back off

verb

1. To move backwards away from something.

   “I tried to back off slowly from the tiger in my path.”

2. To become less aggressive, particularly when one had appeared committed to act.

   “You need to back off, or the situation could turn ugly.”

   “I was going to sue until my legal advisors told me to back off.”

3. To lower the setting of.

   “Could you back off the volume a bit? It’s really loud.”

4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see back, off.

   “The machine may go back off if it gets too hot. [= turn off again, turn back off].”