to backpedal

Examples

• All

• Laura Ingraham is trying to backpedal him on his elections never being required again.

  I've Had It

• And then they will start to backpedal and make concessions because people hate silence so much that they would rather give in than have this continue.

  Late Night with Seth Meyers

• I did get him to backpedal a bit, as I usually could in just about any argument.

  Blog text (12)

• Apparently, after making the statement, Lufti started to backpedal and cover his tracks.

  Blog text (7)

• "Now President Roosevelt is backpedaling as if his life depended on it.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Several such schemes have already been announced, with the Arab partners backpedaling in the face of adverse public reactions at home.

  Academic text (1994)

• I think there are going to be a lot of backpedaling Democrats and lefty talking heads.

  Blog text (1)

• If recent memory serves, Ryan had to backpedal some of his Rand love precisely because of her atheism.

  Blog text (5)

• "Your Highness," one of the Jeds said, and you could see him still mentally backpedaling, rethinking his approach.

  Fiction book (2002)

• After realizing his mistake, the politician decided to backpedal on his controversial statement.

Synonyms

B

to back down

vsto backpedal

107 3.7

To stop insisting because others oppose you

may instead be a backward move to avoid criticism rather than pressure

W

to withdraw

vsto backpedal

103 3.7

To take back something you said before, especially in public

emphasizes reversing position but can be less formal or defensive

U

to undo

vsto backpedal

102 2.6

Cancel the effect of an action or decision

focuses more narrowly on stepping back from opinions or statements

T

to take back

vsto backpedal

61 3.5

Say that what you said before was wrong and you no longer believe it

is a broader retreat that can be informal or partly reluctant

R

to recant

vsto backpedal

• Formal

44 8.6

Say publicly that you no longer believe something you said before

is more general and may be informal or cautious rather than ritualized

R

to retract

vsto backpedal

• Formal

41 6.0

To take back a statement or opinion in public

is less formal and can be done to avoid criticism rather than by rule

F

to flip-flop

vsto backpedal

• Literature

23 5.3

To suddenly change your opinion or decision

is usually a single backward step often to soften or avoid criticism

D

to draw back

vsto backpedal

4 4.1

To move backwards away from something because of fear or surprise

focuses more on changing an expressed opinion or stance rather than physical retreat

D

to do an about-face

vsto backpedal

• Informal

3 6.6

To suddenly change your opinion or plan to the opposite

can instead mean a smaller or reluctant backtrack rather than decisive reversal

C

to climb down

vsto backpedal

• Informal

3 6.2

Take back a public statement or position after pressure

can be a weaker, reluctant step rather than a full reversal

A

to about-face

vsto backpedal

• Literature

3 6.7

To change your opinion or position completely and suddenly

is often a milder reversal, not always an exact opposite switch

R

to row back on

vsto backpedal

• UK

1 7.9

To change an earlier decision or statement because of pressure

is sometimes softer and may mean weakening rather than fully reversing

E

to eat one's words

vsto backpedal

• Informal

6.6

To admit you were wrong and take back what you said

can also mean a partial or tactical weakening of an earlier position

B

to backstep

vsto backpedal

7.1

Take back a promise or support you gave

can include quick or partial reversals aimed at avoiding blame

Antonyms

S

to stand firm

22 3.7

Keep your decision or opinion when others try to make you change

How Reversed

to recant

• Formal

44 8.6

to retract

• Formal

41 6.0

to backpedal

10 6.5

to soften

49 3.3

to waver

52 5.7

to stand firm

22 3.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology