🤸 A backward jump 🔄 A sudden reversal 🔄 To reverse decision 🤸 To jump backward

to backflip

6.2

To suddenly change a public decision or promise

verb
/ˈbækˌflɪp/

Literature

: dar marcha atrás

Facing strong opposition, the board decided to backflip and restore the original policy.

Examples

The politician was accused of having backflipped on several key campaign promises.
After public criticism, the company backflipped on its plan to increase prices.
The company decided to backflip on its controversial policy.
After public outcry, the mayor backflipped on his earlier stance.
After public criticism, the company backflipped on its plan to increase prices.
Facing strong opposition, the board decided to backflip and restore the original policy.
After public outcry, the mayor backflipped on his earlier stance.

Synonyms

to reverse

vsto backflip

Formal

109 4.9

To officially cancel a previous decision, especially by a court

is faster and public under pressure, not only formal cancellation

to back down

vsto backflip

107 3.7

To stop insisting because others oppose you

is a rapid public reversal rather than private withdrawal

to backpedal

vsto backflip

10 6.5

To try to change a previous statement or position to avoid criticism

is faster and more public than cautious weakening under pressure

to tack

vsto backflip

Literature

8 7.3

Change a plan or policy quickly to follow a different idea

is similarly abrupt but stresses public, pressured reversal

to do a 180

vsto backflip

Informal

4 6.8

To completely change your opinion or decision

is sudden and public, often under strong pressure

to do an about-face

vsto backflip

Informal

3 6.6

To suddenly change your opinion or plan to the opposite

is done quickly and publicly under pressure

to climb down

vsto backflip

Informal

3 6.2

Take back a public statement or position after pressure

is more immediate and publicly visible than a private retraction

to row back on

vsto backflip

1 7.9

To change an earlier decision or statement because of pressure

is quicker and more public than gradual withdrawal

to execute a U-turn

vsto backflip

Literature

5.3

Change a plan or decision so the opposite happens

is a swift public reversal often prompted by pressure

to backstep

vsto backflip

7.1

Take back a promise or support you gave

is quicker and more publicly dramatic than quiet retreat

Antonyms

to maintain

931 3.1

Keep an activity, quality, or schedule going over time

How Complete

to backflip

Literature

6.2

to backtrack

42 4.3

to reconsider

227 3.7

to change my mind

811 2.6

Surface Forms

backflip infinitive

backflipped past

backflipped past participle

backflipping present participle

backflips third person singular

Morphology

backflip = flip (semi-transparent) = back + flip

The expression is metaphorically based on a physical backflip, but the policy-reversal sense is not fully predictable for an average learner from the parts alone. [Postprocessing: moved 'back' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Backflip as a verb for changing a decision comes from back + flip, meaning 'to turn back' or 'change suddenly'. So to backflip on a promise is to quickly go back on what you said before.