back off
verb- To move backwards away from something. · I tried to back off slowly from the tiger in my path.
- 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.
- To lower the setting of. · Could you back off the volume a bit? It’s really loud.
- 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].
From the library
The Bowman immediately shot out an arrow and said to the Lion: “I send thee my messenger, that from him thou mayest learn what I myself shall be when I assail thee.” The wounded Lion rushed away in great fear, and when a Fox who had seen it all happen told him to be of good courage and not to back off at the first attack he replied: “You counsel me in vain; for if he sends so fearful a messenger, how shall I abide the attack of the man himself?”
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