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to backstep

to backstep

7.1
Take back a promise or support you gave
  • verb
  • /ˈbækˌstɛp/
translation icon : retroceder
  • The politician decided to backstep on his promise to cut taxes after facing public backlash.

And then whatever hold that Trump has on them, they've backstepped, they've danced.

Examples

  • Facebook's announcement about Beacon in November 2007 brought such a huge negative assault from users that Mark Zuckerberg had to backstep and tell users that they were automatically opted out, rather than in, as planned.

    Academic text (2009)
  • After receiving negative feedback, the company chose to backstep on their previous marketing strategy.

  • And then whatever hold that Trump has on them, they've backstepped, they've danced.

  • Realizing he had made a mistake, he had to backstep on his earlier statements to avoid further conflict.

Synonyms

to back off
vsto backstep
  • Informal
356 2.8

Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something

is more about abandoning a promise or stated position
to retreat
vsto backstep
235 4.0

To move back from a place or plan to avoid danger

focuses on leaving a promise or stated position rather than physical withdrawal
to pull out
vsto backstep
206 3.4

To stop being involved in an activity or agreement

is about retreating from a promise or stated position specifically
to pull back
vsto backstep
162 3.4

To move yourself and things backward from a place, person, or situation

focuses specifically on retreating from promises or commitments
to stand down
vsto backstep
123 5.1

To stop doing a job, duty or action after someone tells you to

is about pulling back from commitments rather than ending duties
to back down
vsto backstep
107 3.7

To stop insisting because others oppose you

is similar but names withdrawal broadly from any commitment
to withdraw
vsto backstep
103 3.7

To take back something you said before, especially in public

covers withdrawing from promises as well as stated positions
to back out
vsto backstep
  • Informal
79 3.4

Decide not to do something you promised to do

is the general idea of pulling back from a prior commitment
to take back
vsto backstep
61 3.5

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

is about leaving a commitment rather than admitting error
to back away
vsto backstep
59 3.9

Stop supporting or taking part in a plan because you feel unsure

is the wider act of retreating from commitments or statements
to recant
vsto backstep
  • Formal
44 8.6

Say publicly that you no longer believe something you said before

is broader, covering any withdrawal from commitments or promises
to retract
vsto backstep
  • Formal
41 6.0

To take back a statement or opinion in public

is the general act of retreating from a promise or position
to go back on
vsto backstep
33 4.1

Break a promise or agreement

focuses on retreating from a stated position or commitment
to renege
vsto backstep
25 8.5

To break a promise or agreement and not do what you said you would do

covers withdrawing from a commitment but may imply deliberate breach
to renege on
vsto backstep
16 7.2

Fail to do something you promised or agreed to

is the broader act of stepping back from an earlier position
to retreat from
vsto backstep
13 4.4

To move back from a place or activity to avoid danger and trouble

is similar but centers on leaving commitments or stated positions
to reverse course
vsto backstep
12 5.5

To change a decision or plan and go in a different direction

is specifically about abandoning promises or stated positions
to backpedal
vsto backstep
10 6.5

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

is about stepping back from a commitment without stressing motive
to draw back
vsto backstep
4 4.1

To move backwards away from something because of fear or surprise

is focused specifically on leaving commitments or prior promises
to climb down
vsto backstep
  • Informal
3 6.2

Take back a public statement or position after pressure

is the general act of stepping back from commitments or promises
to pull out of the deal
vsto backstep
2 3.7

To stop taking part in an agreement you already agreed to

is a general withdrawal from commitments or stated positions
to decommit
vsto backstep
1 8.4

To officially take back a promise or plan

is the wider notion of stepping back from any promise or stance
to crawfish
vsto backstep
  • Informal
1 9.9

To back out of a promise or agreement

is the standard definition for withdrawing from a promise or stance
to row back on
vsto backstep
  • UK
1 7.9

To change an earlier decision or statement because of pressure

is the broader act of retreating from a commitment or promise
to break a vow
vsto backstep
  • Formal
1 5.0

To not keep a serious promise you made, often in a formal situation

is the general notion of stepping back from any commitment
to resile
vsto backstep
  • Formal
9.9

To withdraw from a promise or agreement, often officially under pressure

is the general act of retreating from an earlier commitment
to crawfish out
vsto backstep
  • Informal
9.7

To try to avoid doing something you promised or agreed to do

is the neutral expression for retreating from a commitment

Antonyms

706 3.4

To give time, money, or effort to something

How Committed

to stand firm
22 3.7
to back down
107 3.7
to backstep
7.1
to back off
  • Informal
356 2.8
to waver
52 5.7

Surface Forms

backstep infinitive
backstepped past participle
backstepping present participle
backsteps third person singular

Morphology

backstep = step (transparent) = back + step

The meaning 'to retreat or withdraw' is a direct metaphorical extension of the literal 'step back' and is easily inferable from 'back' + 'step'. [Postprocessing: moved 'back' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Backstep combines back ('behind') and step ('a movement with the foot'), so imagine taking a physical step backwards; when someone backsteps on a promise or choice, they 'step back' from it and pull back or withdraw their support.