Grammar fix
back down
stop arguing or opposing
To stop insisting on your opinion or position, especially after realizing you cannot win or are wrong.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
After a long discussion, he finally backed down and agreed to our plan.
In my opinion, it's important to know when to back down in a disagreement, especially if it helps maintain a good relationship.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He backed down his demand.
Say: He backed down on his demand. / He backed down.
'Back down' is intransitive; you 'back down ON something', not 'back down something'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Relinquish his position' is formal; 'back down' is the everyday phrasal verb.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
back down + over/on
- over
- on
- refuse to
- won't