withdraw

go into (one's) shell

1. To retreat into one's mind or otherwise isolate oneself so as to avoid undesirable thoughts, situations, or interactions with people. After getting mugged I went into my shell and didn't speak to anyone for nearly a week. I'm not good around large groups of people; I usually just go into my shell and wait until I can be alone. Don't go into your shell because you don't want an argument—talk to me and let's discuss the problem!
2. To act in a reserved and/or defensive manner. The team went into their shells after half time, trying to protect a slim lead. The senator went into his shell when reporters tried to question him about allegations of tax fraud.
See also: go, shell

retreat into (one's) shell

1. To retreat into one's mind or otherwise isolate oneself so as to avoid undesirable thoughts, situations, or interactions with people. After getting mugged I retreated into my shell and didn't speak to anyone for nearly a week. I'm not good around large groups of people. I usually just retreat into my shell and wait until I can be alone. Don't retreat into your shell because you don't want an argument—talk to me and let's discuss the problem!
2. To act in a reserved and/or defensive manner. The team retreated into their shells after halftime, trying to protect a slim lead. The senator retreated into his shell when reporters tried to question him about allegations of tax fraud.
See also: retreat, shell

withdraw from (something)

1. To retract or shrink back from someone or something. The nervous animal withdrew from the man entering its cage. He withdrew from my hand as I reached across to wipe the dirt from his face. I had to withdraw from the bright lights due to my migraine.
2. To depart, retreat, or retire from something or some place, as for rest or seclusion. We withdrew from the noisy party to get some fresh air in the summer evening. No one noticed that Bob had withdrawn from the meeting room just before the boss started demanding explanations for the low sales.
3. To cease to be associated with some group or activity; to remove oneself from active participation in something. He was forced to withdraw from the competition amid the accusations of cheating. She is refusing to withdraw from the board of directors.
4. To take someone or something out of or away from something; to remove someone or something from something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "withdraw" and "from." I hastily withdrew my hand from the box when Mary said there could be spiders inside. She withdrew an old photograph from her father's desk drawer. Someone withdrew $400 from my account this morning, and it certainly wasn't me.
5. To cause or force someone or something to depart, retreat, or flee from something or some place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "withdraw" and "from." They have begun withdrawing troops from the war-torn region. Please withdraw your agents from our offices immediately.
6. To remove someone or something from active consideration or participation in something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "withdraw" and "from." I'm afraid I must withdraw my application from the process, as it could be seen as a conflict of interest. The party has withdrawn its candidate from the election.
See also: withdraw

withdraw into (one's) shell

1. To retreat into one's mind or otherwise isolate oneself so as to avoid undesirable thoughts, situations, or interactions with people. After getting mugged I withdrew into my shell and didn't speak to anyone for nearly a week. I'm not good around large groups of people. I usually just withdraw into my shell and wait until I can be alone. Don't withdraw into your shell because you don't want an argument—talk to me and let's discuss the problem!
2. To act in a reserved and/or defensive manner. The team withdrew into their shells after halftime, trying to protect a slim lead. The senator withdrew into his shell when reporters tried to question him about allegations of tax fraud.
See also: shell, withdraw

withdraw into (oneself)

To retreat into one's mind or otherwise isolate oneself so as to avoid undesirable thoughts, situations, or interactions with people. After getting mugged, he withdrew into himself and didn't speak to anyone for nearly a week. I'm not good around large groups of people. I usually get overwhelmed and just withdraw into myself. Don't withdraw into yourself just because you don't want an argument—talk to me!
See also: withdraw

withdraw into (something)

1. To retreat, retract, or shrink back into something or some place. The clam withdraws into its shell when it senses a threat. The soldiers withdrew into the jungle after their assault on the enemy camp. This kind of spider withdraws into its burrow and waits for prey to pass by.
2. To pull or retract something back into something or some place. I withdrew my hands into the sleeves of my sweatshirt to keep them warm. Cats are able to retract their claws into their toe pads.
See also: withdraw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

withdraw from something

 
1. to depart from something physically. I withdrew from the smoky room and ran to the open window to get some air. I withdrew from the unpleasant-looking cafe and looked for something more to my liking.
2. . to end one's association with someone or something. I decided to withdraw from all my professional organizations. I had to withdraw from the association because the dues had become too high.
See also: withdraw

withdraw into oneself

to become introverted; to concern oneself with one's inner thoughts. After a few years of being ignored, she withdrew into herself. I have to struggle to keep from withdrawing into myself.
See also: withdraw

withdraw into something

to pull back into something. The turtle withdrew into its shell. The mouse withdrew into its hole.
See also: withdraw

withdraw someone from something

 
1. to pull someone out of something physically. She withdrew the child from the water just in time. I had to withdraw my child from the kindergarten room. He was having such a good time, he wouldn't leave on his own.
2. . to remove someone from an organization or a nomination. The committee withdrew John from nomination and put up someone else. I withdrew my son from kindergarten.
See also: withdraw

withdraw something from someone or something

to pull something out of someone or something. She withdrew the book from the stack. I withdrew the splinter from Dave carefully.
See also: withdraw

withdraw something into something

to pull something back into something. The turtle withdrew its head into its shell. It then withdrew its feet into the shell also.
See also: withdraw
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

go, retreat, withdraw, etc. into your ˈshell

become more shy and avoid talking to other people: If you ask him about his family, he goes into his shell.
See also: shell
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open to (something)
  • leave open
  • leave yourself wide open to something
  • comfortable in (one's) own skin
  • watch (one's) six
  • check (one's) six
  • check your six
  • wash your hands of
  • wash your hands of somebody/something
  • wash your hands of something/someone
References in periodicals archive
The point of an IRA is to have money on hand in retirement, and the more you withdraw prior to retirement, the less you'll have available once you're no longer working.
Thoughts On Making Withdrawals From An IRA
Kumar had expressed surprise at the decision and said he was not consulted before the government decided to withdraw the case.
India: Chandy flip-flops on oil-smear case withdrawal
But I dont trust the bank anymore and want to withdraw the amount, he added.
Nervous customers throng Kabul bank to withdraw funds
you've got to withdraw not only the money you need, but the tax on top of it"
9 key retirement-income questions: with the life industry's latest generation of products, advisers and buyers have new retirement-planning issues to consider
The players issued a statement saying they still believed Loughnane was the best man for the job, while hurling board officials asked Silke and Murphy to withdraw in the hope that Loughnane could be enticed back.
Hurling: Lough is open for Tribe job
Eligible individuals may withdraw up to $100,000 from their retirement plans, penalty-free, from Aug.
Hurricane Katrina: IRAs, sec. 401(k)s and similar retirement plans
The ACC had decided to endorse a request from primates that Canada and the United States withdraw from the Council at least until the 2008 Lambeth Conference, and had asked them to "voluntarily withdraw" from two important council committees--the standing committee and the inter-Anglican finance and administration committee.
Canadians take a stand on ACC membership
FOR every pound Britons save they withdraw 52p within weeks to fritter away on impulse purchases, a survey claimed yesterday.
Britons spending savings
Judge Davidson's order to withdraw the approval was an initial decision, to which exceptions were filed in 2004.
Antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter
Though doctors often have to address the very thorny issue of when to withdraw life support, a new aspect of the debate has surfaced in Britain.
Patients do have a right to treatment
Even as states withdraw their previous con-con applications, special interest groups have announced plans to seek conventions to address other issues.
South Carolina rescinds its Con-Con Applications
The alternative is to withdraw the balance of the account's assets within five years of the date of death.
Inherited IRAs: planning tips for non-spouse beneficiaries of IRAs, 401(k)s
Such destructive actions were condemned worldwide, and the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution ordering Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territory.
Is peace possible? Violence in the Middle East has many people worried that the war will spread. (International)
Two methods I have found to be successful are the threat to withdraw and the incentive to speed up.
MILLER ON PROCUREMENT
Subsection (a) of the rule lists situations where an attorney must withdraw from a representation, including when the attorney's continued representation would result in a violation, of the Rules of Professional Conduct, when the attorney has a physical or mental condition that materially impairs the attorney's ability to represent the client, and when the attorney has been discharged by the client.
Ethical considerations when withdrawing from representation. (Professional Ethics)