hang back phrasal verb ( see also ↑ hang )
1 . to stay a short distance away from someone or something, and not go too near them:
Instinctively he hung back in the shelter of a rock.
2 . to not say or do something because you are shy or afraid
hang back phrasal verb ( see also ↑ hang )
1 . to stay a short distance away from someone or something, and not go too near them:
Instinctively he hung back in the shelter of a rock.
2 . to not say or do something because you are shy or afraid
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. Longman - Словарь современного английского языка. 2012