From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpull back phrasal verb1 to decide not to do or become involved in something from In the end, he pulled back from financing the film.2 to get out of a bad situation or dangerous place, or to make someone else do this from Many banks are pulling back from international markets.pull somebody ↔ back They are preparing to pull back their forces.3 pull something ↔ back British English if a team that is losing pulls back a goal or some points, it succeeds in scoring a goal or some points Our play improved and we pulled back two goals. → pull→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
pull back• So we always had to worry about how we were being perceived, and be ready to pull back.• So, we pulled back and sat outside of rifle range and watched the gunships work over this small forest.• He was pulling back his shoulders in his arrogant way.• Her blonde hair was pulled back into a smooth chignon and tied with a yellow silk bow.• He did not pull back or intimate any warning when he came.• Take hold of your top leg by the ankle and pull back the leg as far as possible without straining. 