back water

Idioms

Reverse a position, take back a statement, or otherwise retreat, as in We're sure that the senator will back water on raising taxes. This term literally refers to a vessel that moves backward in the water because its oars, paddles, or paddlewheel are reversed. It soon was transferred to other kinds of reversal. [Second half of 1700s]

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back water

This is often called a "water bomb", where the upstream country can temporarily hold back water and then release it suddenly, without warning, causing massive damage downstream.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2025

The cities will need to carefully treat garbage and other waste materials to get back water and create more soil for farming.

From NewsForKids.net ● Feb. 12, 2024

Clogged gutters can back water up onto your roof, causing mold and damage.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 10, 2023

Fish and Wildlife Service sets minimum water levels to keep endangered c'waam and koptu, or suckerfish, alive, and Reclamation said it will hold back water so it can meet those minimum levels.

From Salon ● Feb. 25, 2023

"Away. Get us off her, back water, back water!"

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

back water

Example Sentences

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