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Ethan
What's the difference between "back up","step back", "back off" when asking someone to move backward
Mar 24, 2019 1:40 PM
Answers · 4
5
If someone is not mindful of your personal space and you want them to give you space, you could say "Please step back" or "Step back, please."
**depending on your tone, it can be interpreted as a peaceful request or rude.
-"Back off" is typically interpreted as rude and is used when in heated discussion with disregard to personal space.
-"Back up" can be interpreted as rude, but you could also say "Please back up" or "Back up, please" to make it a polite request.
**Tone is most important.**
I hope this helps you!
March 24, 2019
3
Backup- used when you need someone to support you.
Example - Olivia, could you BACKUP me in the report today?
back off- used when you want to someone to go away from you (used in informal)
Example - Just BACK OFF and let us do this on our own, will you?
Step back - used to widthraw from a situation
Example - I think that it is important to STEP BACK and see it from a different point of view when you are considering what to do.
March 24, 2019
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Ethan
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Vietnamese
Learning Language
English, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
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