back down
verb1
Idiomatic To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously had, or has planned to have.
- I was about to sue them, but I had to back down.
- The boys had planned to fight during recess, but backed down after the principal found out.
1 more example
- By the time politicians in several cities backed down on Tuesday and announced that they would cut or consider reducing fares, the demonstrations had already morphed into a more sweeping social protest, with marchers waving banners carrying slogans like “The people have awakened.”2013 June 18, Simon Romero, “Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders”, in New York Times, retrieved 21 Jun 2013:
2
Idiomatic To make (someone) take a less aggressive position.
- I have backed down so many men by confronting them. I'm willing to fight back. If you have that rage in your heart and you are willing to kill, that radiates.1980 February 9, Chris Guilfoy, anonymous quotee, “Town Meeting Talks About The Issue of Violence”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 28, page 1:
3
Idiomatic To withdraw from a commitment or position; back out.