stagger back

Frequency: 7.09.5 per million words

To move backwards suddenly and unsteadily, often in shock or surprise.

staggerVERB + ADVERB

Categories:

back

Examples (10)

  • The force of the explosion made him stagger back.
  • She saw the ghost and immediately staggered back in terror.
  • He took a step forward, then seemed to stagger back from the edge.
  • The punch was so powerful that the boxer staggered back against the ropes.
  • Upon hearing the news, she could only stagger back and gasp.
  • The sudden gust of wind caused the elderly man to stagger back.
  • When the door burst open, I staggered back in surprise.
  • He tried to hold his ground, but the wave made him stagger back.
  • Witnessing the accident, the crowd began to stagger back in horror.
  • Feeling faint, she had to stagger back and lean against the wall.