abjure back off back out backpedal backtrack backwater balance balk beat a retreat beg off break off combat cave in cease resistance climb down crawfish out cry off debate deliberate demur deny disavow disclaim disengage disown draw back draw off eat crow eat humble pie fall back falter fear forswear give ground give in give place give up give way go back go back on hang back hem and haw hesitate hold back hover hum and haw jib move back pause ponder pull back pull out quit the field recall recant renege renounce repudiate resile retire retract retreat revoke run back scruple shilly-shally shy stand back stick at stickle stop to consider straddle the fence strain at swallow take back think twice about unsay weasel out welsh withdraw yield