1.
If you ~, you move away in order to avoid problems or a fight.
They backed off in horror.
PHRASAL VERB: V P
2.
If you ~ from a claim, demand, or commitment that you made earlier, or if you ~ it, you withdraw it.
A spokesman says the president has backed off from his threat to boycott the conference...
The union has publicly backed off that demand.
PHRASAL VERB: V P from n, V P n