Retreat (4,3) Crossword Clue
Answer: BACK OFF (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Retreat (4,3)" with 7 letters is "BACK OFF".Back off means to retreat or move away from a situation, often used to instruct someone to stop interfering or to give space. It can also refer to withdrawing from an argument or conflict, signaling a desire for distance or a cessation of action.
Why "Back Off" Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (4,3) meaning "retreat." The answer, BACK OFF, fits perfectly:
- Retreat: Back off is a common phrasal verb meaning to move away, withdraw, or retreat, especially to avoid confrontation, danger, or pressure—exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With four letters in the first word and three in the second, back off matches the (4,3) enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The phrase expresses both literal and figurative withdrawal, whether physically stepping back or figuratively ceasing an action or demand.
Back off is a practical, modern idiom used in conversation, writing, and various contexts:
Origin and usage:
- Formed from the verb “back” (to move backwards) and “off” (away), the phrase entered English as a phrasal verb in the 20th century, gaining popularity in speech and media.
- Used both literally (“Back off from the edge!”) and figuratively (“He should back off on his criticism.”).
Usage contexts:
- Safety: “Back off from that fire!”
- Conflict: “They decided to back off to prevent an argument.”
- Technology/Sports: “The car had to back off the speed to avoid crashing.”
Examples:
- “She told the dog to back off.”
- “Back off if you sense trouble.”
- “He refused to back off his demands.”
In quick crosswords like “Retreat (4,3),” clues for action or movement often require phrasal verbs that fit the enumeration:
Definition: “Retreat” can mean to withdraw, move away, or cease hostility—all easily captured by “back off.”
Clue type: Direct synonym, with answer form hinted at by enumeration.
Solving approach:
- Think of two-part verbs (phrasal verbs) meaning retreat; back off is natural, clear, and perfectly fits (4,3).
- Other options: “step out,” “move out,” but only “back off” fits both meaning and length for “retreat.”
Crossword pattern: Phrasal verbs pairing action + preposition—b
