backing out
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to back out
To revoke or withdraw a commitment, plan, or statement, often out of fear, uncertainty, or because the circumstances have changed.
Obwohl er zugesagt hatte zu helfen, machte er im letzten Moment einen Rückzieher.
Although he had agreed to help, he backed out at the last moment.
The word consists of 'Rück-' (back) and 'Zieher' (from 'ziehen' — to pull). Figuratively, it describes the act of pulling back something that you had brought forward, such as a commitment.
Sein plötzlicher Rückzieher hat das ganze Team überrascht.
His sudden backing out surprised the whole team.
The noun 'der Rückzieher' (backing out) is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'einen Rückzieher machen' (to back out). This noun-verb combination is the most common way to express this idea.
Er wollte erst mitmachen, hat dann aber doch einen Rückzieher gemacht.
At first he wanted to join in, but then he backed out after all.
The expression is often used to describe a cancellation at short notice. A typical combination is 'im letzten Moment einen Rückzieher machen' (to back out at the last moment).
Der Investor hat im letzten Moment einen Rückzieher gemacht und das Projekt ist geplatzt.
The investor backed out at the last moment, and the project fell through.
rejection / cancellation
An Absage (rejection or cancellation) states that something will not take place or will not be accepted. A Rückzieher (backing out), on the other hand, implies that someone withdraws a previous commitment, statement, or planned project. Without a prior commitment, Absage is the appropriate word; after a commitment has already been made, Rückzieher fits.
Nach ihrer festen Zusage machte die Firma einen Rückzieher.
After firmly committing to it, the company backed out.
Vor der geplanten Zusammenarbeit schickte die Firma eine Absage.
Before the planned collaboration, the company sent a rejection.
