back water

Idioms  

1. 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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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

back water

Traditionally, logs made of coir - coconut husk - have been imported from South-East Asia to reduce erosion, hold back water and also re-wet degraded peatland.

From BBC ● May 15, 2026

Plans to scale back water usage from the imperiled Colorado River have been hindered by a tiny fish no bigger than an index finger.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2024

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

Still, many see agave as a viable alternative as California — which supplies the bulk of the country’s produce — explores ways to cut back water use.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 4, 2023

Early that afternoon, Leah and I had been sent to bring back water.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• abate
• curb
• curtail
• decelerate
• decrease
• diminish
• hinder
• impede
• lag
• lessen
• moderate
• reduce
• relax
• retard
• slacken
• stall
• temper