fall back

verb

1. to recede or retreat
2. foll byon or upon to have recourse (to)

noun

1. a retreat
2. a reserve, esp money, that can be called upon in need
3. 1. anything to which one can have recourse as a second choice
   2. ( as modifier )

      a fall-back position

Example Sentences

They fell back on their timeworn, futile tactic of ceding the spotlight to Trump.

From Salon

"Yeah, that's nice . . . you're the wrong gender," Stewart shoots back, before playfully shoving Barrymore off in an awkward moment that the host leans into by dramatically falling back on the couch.

From Salon

The Federal Reserve wants to see inflation, the rate at which prices rise, fall back to about 2%.

From BBC

His mother said he had recently told her it had felt as if there was "no end in sight" because of strict post-parole licensing rules, hence "falling back into old behaviours".

From BBC

Far from all Londoners falling back on dull neutrals, Durran found red was “in the fashion ether at the time”; makeup designer Naomi Donne also goes crimson for Rita’s lipstick.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• recede
• withdraw