The expresion is "echar para atrás", and yes, it is used to any backwards motion, both physically and figuratively.
- Échate para atrás. Ya nos pasamos de la calle.
Drive backwards. We already passed the street.
- Eché para atrás la cabeza y me sentí mareada.
I tilted my head back and I got dizzy.
- El niño iba caminando y el coche se echó para atrás. Afortunadamente no lo atropelló.
The boy was walking and the car rode backwards. Fortunately, it didn't drive him over.
- Cuento con tu apoyo. No te me vayas a echar para atrás.
-> You've given me your word to support me, I need you to keep it and not have second thoughts about it.
- Juan nos ofreció dinero para el negocio, pero se echó para atrás y no pudimos abrirlo.
-> Juan offered us money for the business, but he backed out and we couldn't open it.
- Íbamos a limpiar la calle con los vecinos, pero se echaron para atrás y nos dejaron solos.
-> We were going to clean the street with the neighbors, but they decided not to help and we were left alone.