Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pull, back.
To retreat.
To pass (the ball) into a position further from the attacking goal line.
To score when the team is losing.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see step, off.
To avoid a conflict; to back down
To measure by steps or paces; hence, to divide (a space), or to form a series of marks, by successive measurements, as with dividers.