v. make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity; "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him"; "He backed out of his earlier promise"; "The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns"

v. stretch back a bowstring (on an archer's bow); "The archers were drawing their bows"

v. move to a rearward position; pull towards the back; "Pull back your arms!"

v. pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew"; "The limo pulled away from the curb"