back down balance be careful be cautious debate deliberate demur dither falter fear go on tiptoe hang back hang in doubt hem and haw hesitate hover hum and haw jib make haste slowly pause ponder pull back pussyfoot retreat scruple shilly-shally shy stick at stickle stop to consider straddle the fence strain at take it easy think twice about tiptoe vacillate walk on eggshells withdraw yield