отступа́ть

fairly common #3527C2

verbimperfective perfective is отступи́ть

1.
to retreat, to fall back, to withdrawmilitary
Войска́ отступа́ли к реке́.
The troops were retreating towards the river.
Often of troops; also figuratively of giving ground to an opponent.
2.
to step back, to move back, to recede
Мо́ре ме́дленно отступа́ло.
The sea was slowly receding.
Of a person taking a step back or of water/a boundary receding.
3.
to deviate (from), to depart (from), to stray (from)
Не отступа́й от те́мы бесе́ды.
Don't stray from the topic of the conversation.
With от + genitive: from a topic, a rule, one's principles.

Examples

Он никогда не отступа́ет, даже когда ошиба́ется.
He will never give in even when he is wrong.
Отряд, обороняющий город, не отступал ни на шаг.
The unit defending the city did not retreat a single step.
Враг, ретирующийся под натиском, отступал в панике.
The enemy, retreating under pressure, withdrew in panic.
Изморивший рабочих зной не отступал весь день.
The heat that exhausted the workers did not let up all day.
Бригадный командир отдал приказ отступать.
The brigade commander gave the order to retreat.
Фельдмаршал отдал приказ отступать.
The field marshal ordered a retreat.
Мытаривший его недуг постепенно отступал.
The illness that had afflicted him gradually subsided.
Холод, вгонявший всех в дрожь, не отступал.
The cold that was making everyone shiver showed no sign of letting up.

Imperative
ты	отступа́й
вы	отступа́йте

Active present	отступа́ющий	retreating, receding, withdrawing
Active past	отступа́вший	retreating, having retreated, that retreated, fallen back
Passive present	-
Passive past	-
Gerund present	отступа́я	while doing (present)
Gerund past	отступав отступавши	while doing (past)