“使后退”常见的英文表达有 make sb. retreat、cause sb. to step back 或 drive sb. back ,具体使用哪个取决于语境:
make sb. retreat: “retreat”本身有“撤退;后退”的意思,“make sb. retreat”即“使某人后退”,是比较直接和常用的表达。例如:The loud noise made the enemy retreat.(巨大的噪音使敌人后退。)
cause sb. to step back: “step back”表示“后退一步” ,“cause sb. to step back”意思是“导致某人后退”,更侧重于描述引发后退这一动作。例如:The sudden movement of the dog caused the little girl to step back.(狗突然的动作让小女孩后退了一步。)
drive sb. back: “drive”有“驱使;迫使”的含义,“drive sb. back”就是“迫使某人后退”,强调施加压力让对方后退。例如:The strong wind drove the pedestrians back.(大风迫使行人后退。)