отступа́ть

uncommon #5202C2

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

Генера́л отдал прика́з отступа́ть.
The general gave the order to retreat.
Изморивший рабочих зной не отступал весь день.
The heat that exhausted the workers did not let up all day.
Он потирал ногу, где покалывавшая боль всё не отступала.
He rubbed his leg where the prickling pain would not go away.
Жара, истощавшая всех, не отступала.
The heat that was exhausting everyone did not let up.
Придавливавший его страх постепенно отступал.
The fear that had been oppressing him gradually receded.
Отряд, обороняющий город, не отступал ни на шаг.
The unit defending the city did not retreat a single step.
Он никогда не отступа́ет, даже когда ошиба́ется.
He will never give in even when he is wrong.
Начина́ть легко, не отступа́ть - иску́сство.
Starting is easy; not giving up is an art.

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)