backpedal

See also: back-pedal

English

Alternative forms

back-pedal

Etymology

back +‎ pedal

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈbækˌpɛdəɫ/
Audio (US) (file)
Audio (AU) (file)

Verb

backpedal (third-person singular simple present backpedals, present participle (US) backpedaling or (UK) backpedalling, simple past and past participle (US) backpedaled or (UK) backpedalled)

(intransitive) To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
(intransitive) To step backwards.
The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.
(intransitive, idiomatic) To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.
Though initially adopting a hard-line stance, the politician soon started to backpedal.

Synonyms

(distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement): climb down

Derived terms

backpedal brake (on a bicycle)
backpedaler, backpedaller

Translations

to pedal backwards on a bicycle

Finnish: polkea taaksepäin

French: rétropédaler (fr)

to step backwards

Finnish: peruuttaa (fi), ottaa takapakkia, astua taaksepäin

French: reculer (fr)

to distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement

Finnish: peruuttaa (fi), ottaa takapakkia

French: rétropédaler (fr), faire marche arrière (fr)