step back

step back (third-person singular simple present steps back, present participle stepping back, simple past and past participle stepped back)

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see step,‎ back.
2. (idiomatic) To stop what one is doing and evaluate the current situation.

   Perhaps we should step back for a second and think about solving this problem a different way.

3. (idiomatic) To prevent oneself from becoming emotionally involved in a certain situation.

   As a therapist sometimes you have to step back from your clients' lives.

4. (rail transport, of a driver at a terminal station) to depart driving the train following the train they arrived into the station driving, so as to decrease service turnaround time.

step back (plural steps back)

1. (idiomatic) A reversion to a former state or situation.

(rail transport): double-end, double-ending

• backstep