fall back

verbs

fall backwards and down
fall back
is a type of (narrower)
move the upper body backwards and down
lean back, recline
hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
dawdle, fall back, fall behind, lag
move back and away from
"The enemy fell back"
fall back
is derived from
fallback
is a type of (narrower)
pull back or move away or backward
"The enemy withdrew"; "The limo pulled away from the curb"
draw back, move back, pull away, pull back, recede, retire, retreat, withdraw
retreat
drop off, fall back, fall behind, lose, recede
antonym
gain
have recourse to
"The government resorted to rationing meat"
fall back, recur, resort
go back to bad behavior
"Those who recidivate are often minor criminals"
fall back, lapse, recidivate, regress, relapse, retrogress