to withdraw / retreat
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to retreat
To go to a quiet, private place in order to be alone or to get some distance from other people.
Nach dem langen Arbeitstag zog er sich mit einem Buch in sein Zimmer zurück.
After the long workday, he retreated to his room with a book.
to withdraw
To take back or revoke something that one has offered, said, or submitted.
Sie hat ihre Bewerbung für die Stelle gestern zurückgezogen.
She withdrew her application for the position yesterday.
to withdraw
To move oneself or something, such as troops, away from a position or place and toward the back.
Die Armee musste ihre Truppen aus der umkämpften Region zurückziehen.
The army had to withdraw its troops from the contested region.
to withdraw
To end one's participation in a competition, an activity, or public life.
Die Favoritin musste sich wegen einer Verletzung aus dem Tennisturnier zurückziehen.
The favorite had to withdraw from the tennis tournament because of an injury.
'Zurückziehen' (to withdraw / retreat) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er zog seine Hand schnell zurück.
He quickly pulled his hand back.
The verb consists of 'zurück' (back) and 'ziehen' (to pull). The literal meaning, 'to pull back', helps you understand the figurative meanings such as 'to revoke something' or 'to move away'.
Der Fahrer musste das Auto aus dem Schlamm zurückziehen.
The driver had to pull the car back out of the mud.
Pay attention to whether the verb is used reflexively with 'sich' or non-reflexively. 'Sich zurückziehen' means that the person removes themself. 'Etwas zurückziehen' means that you withdraw an object or revoke a statement.
Der Politiker zog sich aus der Debatte zurück.
The politician withdrew from the debate.
When you revoke something, the objects are typically abstract things that you previously stated or submitted, for example 'einen Antrag' (an application/a motion), 'ein Angebot' (an offer), 'eine Klage' (a lawsuit/complaint), or 'eine Aussage' (a statement).
Das Unternehmen hat sein Kaufangebot für die kleine Firma zurückgezogen.
The company withdrew its purchase offer for the small firm.
When someone retreats to a place, the preposition 'in' (or 'auf', 'an') is used with the accusative. When someone ends their participation in something, 'aus' is used with the dative.
Sie zieht sich gerne in den Garten zurück, um zu lesen.
She likes to retreat to the garden to read.
to give up / submit
Aufgeben and sich zurückziehen can both express ending one's participation early. Aufgeben focuses more on the competition that has already begun and that someone does not continue; sich zurückziehen emphasizes ending further participation.
Wegen starker Schmerzen zieht sich die Läuferin aus dem weiteren Wettbewerb zurück.
Because of severe pain, the runner withdraws from the rest of the competition.
Wegen starker Schmerzen gibt die Läuferin das bereits begonnene Rennen auf.
Because of severe pain, the runner gives up on the race that has already begun.
