The phrase "bellying up" typically implies getting closer or approaching something. Thus, antonyms for it would be words and phrases that imply distance or moving away. Some possible antonyms for "bellying up" are "retreating," "receding," "backing off," "withdrawing," "falling back," "pulling away," "shying away," or "stepping back." These terms can apply to different contexts, such as avoiding a confrontation, stepping back from a difficult situation, or simply creating a physical distance from someone or something. By knowing the antonyms for "bellying up," we can understand the opposite meanings of this expression and use the appropriate words to convey our thoughts and actions.