backing out
Loading your saved state.
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.
retreat / withdrawal
'der Rückzug' and 'der Rückzieher' both have to do with someone not continuing. 'Rückzug' more often describes withdrawing from a role, task, activity, or public life. This can be planned and serious. 'Rückzieher' is almost always used in the phrase 'einen Rückzieher machen' (to back out). It means that someone takes back a commitment, plan, or statement. The words are easy to confuse because they sound similar and both express a kind of pulling back. If someone leaves an office or position, you would more likely say 'Rückzug'. If someone suddenly decides not to take part after all, you would say 'einen Rückzieher machen'.
Kurz vor dem Umzug hat sie einen Rückzieher gemacht.
Shortly before the move, she backed out.
Der Rückzug meines Kollegen aus dem Projekt kam für das Team überraschend.
My colleague's withdrawal from the project came as a surprise to the team.