Back off vs Recede vs Retreat vs Step back vs Withdraw

Cuándo usar cada una en inglés, con significado, registro y ejemplos.

Back off

InformalTop 2000 (común)

Recede

Top 3000 (común)B1verb

Retreat

Top 2000 (común)C1noun

Step back

Top 2000 (común)

Withdraw

Top 2000 (común)B2verb
 Back offRecedeRetreatStep backWithdraw
Pronunciación🇬🇧 //bæk ɒf//🇺🇸 //bæk ɔf//🇬🇧 //rɪˈsiːd//🇺🇸 //rɪˈsiːd//🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈtriːt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈtriːt/"]/🇬🇧 //stɛp bæk//🇺🇸 //stɛp bæk//🇬🇧 /["/wɪðˈdrɔː//wɪθˈdrɔː/","/wɪðˈdrɔːz//wɪθˈdrɔːz/","/wɪðˈdruː//wɪθˈdruː/","/wɪðˈdrɔːn//wɪθˈdrɔːn/","/wɪðˈdrɔːɪŋ//wɪθˈdrɔːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/wɪðˈdrɔː//wɪθˈdrɔː/","/wɪðˈdrɔːz//wɪθˈdrɔːz/","/wɪðˈdruː//wɪθˈdruː/","/wɪðˈdrɔːn//wɪθˈdrɔːn/","/wɪðˈdrɔːɪŋ//wɪθˈdrɔːɪŋ/"]/
SignificadoAlejarse o dejar de acercarse a alguien.To move away or stop approaching someone.ir hacia atrás o alejarse de algoto go back or move away from somethingIrse de un lugar, a menudo por seguridad o para relajarse.To go away from a place, often for safety or to relax.To move back or pause to think before acting.Quitar o remover algo.To take back or remove something.
EjemploHe told the stranger to back off when they got too close.The floodwaters began to recede after the heavy rain stopped.The soldiers had to execute a strategic retreat to avoid being surrounded.Sometimes you need to step back and evaluate your choices.She decided to withdraw her savings from the bank.
RegistroInformalNeutralNeutralNeutralNeutral
Qué tan comúnTop 2000 (común)Top 3000 (común)Top 2000 (común)Top 2000 (común)Top 2000 (común)
Nivel CEFR-B1C1-B2
Categoría gramaticalverbnounverb
Colocacionesback off someone, back off quickly, back off a little, back off nowrecede from view, recede into the background, fear recedes, water recedes, hairline recedeshasty, headlong, quick, beat, make, lead, in retreat, on the retreat, retreat from, be in full retreat, a line of retreat, hasty, headlong, quick, beat, make, lead, in retreat, on the retreat, retreat from, be in full retreat, a line of retreat, hasty, headlong, quick, beat, make, lead, in retreat, on the retreat, retreat from, be in full retreat, a line of retreat, favourite/​favorite, idyllic, perfect, turn something into, use something as, retreat for, retreat from, Buddhist, meditation, religious, attend, do, go onstep back from a situation, step back and reflect, step back to assess, step back to gain perspectivealtogether, completely, immediately, be forced to, be ordered to, threaten to, from, in favour/​favor of, into, altogether, completely, immediately, be forced to, be ordered to, threaten to, from, in favour/​favor of, into, altogether, completely, immediately, be forced to, be ordered to, threaten to, from, in favour/​favor of, into
Antónimos-advance, approach, increaseadvance, attack, approach-deposit, add, contribute
Errores comunesConfusing with 'back down' which means to withdraw from a challenge., Using in formal emails or professional settings., Incorrectly adding prepositions (e.g., 'back off from').Confusing with 'access' instead of 'recede', Using with wrong prepositions, like 'to recede on' instead of 'from', Overusing in non-physical contexts, where 'reduce' might be more appropriateUsed as a transitive verb incorrectly (e.g., 'retreat the troops' instead of 'retreat to safety')., Confused with 'retract', which means to take back something said., Using the word in contexts that imply aggression instead of leaving.Confused with 'step up' which means to increase involvement., Using it in passive voice incorrectly, e.g., 'The idea was stepped back.', Incorrectly translating it literally, losing the idiomatic meaning.Confused with 'wither' — remember, 'withdraw' is about taking away., Using 'withdraw' with an incorrect subject; you withdraw something, not 'withdraws'., 'Withdrew' is the past tense, but learners often forget the 'd'.
Notas de usoSe usa de forma informal para pedirle a alguien que dé espacio. Puede ser conflictivo. No es adecuado para contextos formales.Used informally to ask someone to give space. It can be confrontational. Not suitable for formal contexts.Se usa en contextos que involucran distancia, tiempo o emociones. Aceptable en situaciones formales e informales, pero evita en conversaciones muy casuales.Used in contexts involving distance, time, or emotions. Suitable for formal and informal settings but avoid in highly casual conversations.Se usa tanto en contextos militares como personales. En entornos formales, 'retreat' puede referirse a eventos de desarrollo profesional, mientras que en entornos informales puede referirse a una escapada de fin de semana.Used in both military and personal contexts. In formal settings, 'retreat' can refer to professional development events, while in informal settings it might refer to a weekend trip away.Often used in brainstorming or conflict resolution contexts. Avoid in very formal writing or speech.Usa 'retirar' cuando quieras decir que estás quitando algo o que ya no participas. Sirve tanto en contextos formales como informales, como retirar dinero del banco o retirarse de una competencia.Use 'withdraw' when you want to say you are taking something away or not participating anymore. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts, like withdrawing money from a bank or withdrawing from a competition.

Míralo en clips reales

Back off
Step back

Preguntas frecuentes: Back off vs Recede vs Retreat vs Step back vs Withdraw

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre Back off, Recede, Retreat, Step back y Withdraw?

Back off: To move away or stop approaching someone. Recede: to go back or move away from something Retreat: To go away from a place, often for safety or to relax. Step back: To move back or pause to think before acting. Withdraw: To take back or remove something.

¿Cuál es más avanzada: Back off, Recede, Retreat, Step back y Withdraw?

Retreat es la de nivel más alto, en C1, en la escala CEFR.

¿Puedes mostrar un ejemplo de cada una?

Back off: He told the stranger to back off when they got too close. Recede: The floodwaters began to recede after the heavy rain stopped. Retreat: The soldiers had to execute a strategic retreat to avoid being surrounded. Step back: Sometimes you need to step back and evaluate your choices. Withdraw: She decided to withdraw her savings from the bank.

¿Puedo usar Back off, Recede, Retreat, Step back y Withdraw indistintamente?

No siempre. Back off, Recede, Retreat, Step back y Withdraw están relacionadas y a veces se solapan, pero difieren en registro, frecuencia y uso, así que cambiar una por otra puede alterar el significado o el tono. Revisa las diferencias de arriba antes de sustituir.

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