Back down - Learn English Phrasal Verbs.

source: Twominute English     2013年8月28日
To 'back down' means to surrender. The meaning of this phrasal verb is to withdraw an argument or a statement. 'Back down' is to admit a defeat. In this English tutorial you will learn about the meaning and use of the phrasal verb 'back down'.
Some sentences with the idiom are highlighted at the end of the video. Practice them at the end to build your fluency.
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0:00 Welcome to twominenglish.com. Teaching you English through two-minute lessons.
0:06 In this lesson you will learn how to use the phrasal verb ‘back down’ in your conversations.
0:18 Hello everyone! Let’s learn about the phrasal verb ‘back down’.
0:23 Yes, Ruth. ‘Back down’ means to withdraw and to surrender, right?
0:28 Exactly. It means to admit that you are wrong and have been defeated.
0:33 Wasn’t there a movie called ‘Never back down’, Ruth? Did you watch it?
0:37 Oh yes! It was my favorite that year. The title ‘Never back down’ means ‘Never Surrender’!
0:44 That’s it! So, ‘back down’ means withdrawal from a previously held position especially when you face a stronger opponent or a superior power.
0:52 It also means to withdraw an argument, a proposal or maybe an opinion. Will you give us an example to show how this verb is used?
1:01 Sure. For example: ‘The sniper had to back down when the police surrounded him’.
1:07 Hmmm...Here’s another example: ‘The government had to back down on the decision to cut the trees,
1:13 after protests from the environmental activists’.
1:17 Alright, thank you for the example. How about some conversations now?
1:21 Sure Paul.
1:29 Carl, I heard there was a fight in the town hall yesterday?
1:33 Yeah, the bar owners were not willing to back down.
1:36 So, what happened?
1:38 Some people from the church got upset and pushed the opposition lawyer to the ground.
1:43 Man, that’s bad. This shouldn’t be the way.
1:47 You’re right but it worked! The bar owners backed down and promised to shut down the bar near the church!
1:58 How was your day, honey?
2:00 Not bad! How was yours?
2:02 Good! What about Jimmy’s case? Is he willing to back down?
2:06 Why should Jimmy back down?! It’s not his fault at all.
2:09 So, he did get faulty machinery, right?
2:13 Yes, the factory owner must back down and provide him full compensation.
2:23 Hey Robbie, let’s have a beer! It’s my birthday!
2:26 I’m fine with this juice, man. I quit drinking last year.
2:30 C’mon! Don’t back down now!
2:33 You back down. Carl. I’ve just said I don’t drink anymore!
2:37 Gee, alright! Go ahead and drink your juice then.
2:43 ‘Back down’ means to withdraw and to surrender.
2:51 The sniper had to back down when the police surrounded him.
3:00 The bar owners were not willing to back down
3:08 Is he willing to back down?
3:16 Why should Jimmy back down?
3:23 The factory owner must back down and provide him full compensation.
3:34 Don’t back down now!
3:40 You back down. Carl.

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