backpedal
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back·ped·al
(băk′pĕd′l)intr.v. back·ped·aled, back·ped·al·ing, back·ped·als or back·ped·alled or back·ped·al·ling
1. To move the pedals of a bicycle or similar vehicle backward, especially to apply a brake.
2. To move backward by taking short quick steps, as in boxing or football.
3. To retreat or withdraw from a position or attitude: The senator later backpedaled on the issue.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Verb | 1. | backpedal - pedal backwards on a bicycle |
2. | backpedal - step backwards, in boxing step - shift or move by taking a step; "step back" | |
3. | backpedal - modify one's opinion, make it less strong rethink - change one's mind; "He rethought his decision to take a vacation" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
backpedal
verbTo move in a reverse direction:
Idiom: retrace one's steps.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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