backpedal

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Usage notes

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

back +‎ pedal

[edit] Pronunciation

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[edit] Verb

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

1. To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
2. To step backwards.

   The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.

3. 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.

[edit] Usage notes

The spellings backpedalling and backpedalled are chiefly British.