pull back

verb

1. 1

   make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity

   We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him

   He backed out of his earlier promise

2. 2

   stretch back a bowstring (on an archer's bow)

   The archers were drawing their bows

3. 3

   move to a rearward position; pull towards the back

   Pull back your arms!

4. 4

   use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)

5. 5

   pull back or move away or backward

   The enemy withdrew

   The limo pulled away from the curb