fall back

US /fɔːl bæk/

UK /fɔːl bæk/

1.

to retreat or move back

:

•

The troops were ordered to fall back to a more defensible position.

•

When the enemy advanced, our soldiers had to fall back.

:

retreat withdraw recede pull back draw back

2.

to rely on someone or something for support or help when in difficulty

:

•

If things go wrong, we can always fall back on our savings.

•

She had to fall back on her emergency skills during the crisis.

:

rely on resort to depend on turn to lean on

:

fall back on fall falling fall to fall in with fall into fall for