back out

Preview（腕試し）

Paul: Is everyone in the club going on the camping trip tomorrow?

George: Well, just about everyone; unfortunately, Maureen backed out of the trip at the last minute.

In this sentence, back out means:

A. to drive a car backward

B. to decide not to participate

C. to turn around

Quick Glossary （用語辞典）

participate = 参加する

joint venture = 合弁事業

contract = 契約

intransitive verb = 自動詞

Explanation （説明）

This phrasal verb is used when someone cancels his or her participation in some plan or appointment, especially when that plan involves either a formal arrangement (such as a contract) or a group of people.

Grammar　(文法)

This idiom is intransitive, and it's often followed by "of" plus a noun--especially one that refers to a future event. A few nouns commonly used with this phrasal verb include "arrangement," "plan," and "promise."

Examples（例文）

Business

A famous computer software company agreed to develop game software with another company, but they backed out of the joint venture before the contract was signed.

Personal

Igor was going to go on the camping trip with us, but he backed out at the last minute--he said he was much too busy to go.　

Exercises（練習）Type the appropriate form of "back out" in the box.	Answer (答え)
1. Junichiro said he would go skiing with us, but he when he found out how much it would cost.	->
2. It seems that Richard might of his promise to sing at Theresa's wedding: he has recently been complaining of a sore throat.	->
3. The other company has of the project, so we'll have to cancel our plans.	->