back-pedal
Americanverb (used without object)
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to retard the forward motion by pressing backward on the pedal, especially of a bicycle with coaster brakes.
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to retreat from or reverse one's previous stand on any matter; shift ground.
to back-pedal after severe criticism.
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Boxing. to retreat from an opponent, especially by stepping rapidly backward.
verb
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to turn the pedals of a bicycle backwards
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to retract or modify a previous opinion, principle, etc
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boxing to take backward steps
Etymology
Origin of back-pedal
First recorded in 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
I tried to back-pedal, saying, “Look, it will be fine for the dog to live inside the house with us,” and here I really should have deployed a full stop and ended the sentence.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 20, 2016
Carrey isn’t the first actor to back-pedal on a project—but he’s still bringing something new into the mix.
From Time ● Jun. 25, 2013
After jokingly offering to marry Owens if she moved from Kentucky to Illinois, Lincoln tried to back-pedal when she appeared genuinely interested.
From Slate ● Nov. 17, 2012
He also continued to back-pedal from his comments last Sunday about "legitimate rape", accepting that the views he expressed were "medically wrong".
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2012
I shouted; 'and back-pedal for all you are worth!'
From Foe-Farrell by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir
Conklin’s knee collapsed under him as he back-pedaled and he struggled just walking to the sideline before being carted to the locker room.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 29, 2021
He back-pedaled as Canelo pursued, sensing perhaps that the Russian was showing some signs of fatigue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2019
In the meantime, they have back-pedaled on some of the claims originally listed in the initial pitch.
From Scientific American ● Oct. 3, 2014
But as thousands of people in Ukraine worried about their exposures from the Chernobyl blast, Soviet medical officials back-pedaled on the FIB-4 doctors’ original findings.
From Slate ● Apr. 18, 2013
Scotty hooted in derision as Rick back-pedaled, then he put his bar down and swam to Rick's side.
From The Wailing Octopus by Goodwin, Harold L. (Harold Leland)
Making the goal better was the back-pedaling Marshall’s desperate dive in a forlorn bid to stop the ball from going in.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 12, 2021
Harvard's back-pedaling follows protests from high-profile figures in the U.S. intelligence community after Harvard made the initial announcement Wednesday.
From Time ● Sep. 15, 2017
In others — many, many others — the back-pedaling by defenders doesn’t last nearly as long.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 31, 2017
When Boras’s comments — which are on tape — were read back to him, he began back-pedaling at Darrell Green-like speed.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 27, 2012
Yet despite reviewers’ complaints about the nano’s missing playback buttons, it’s hard to imagine Apple back-pedaling.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2011
Hope hooked Mahmood, Carse misjudged, back-pedalled and stuck up a hand to produce a copy of Ben Stokes's famous grab at The Oval during the 2019 World Cup.
From BBC ● May 29, 2025
Ivana later back-pedalled on the statement, according to previous coverage by Salon, saying:
From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2022
The government back-pedalled on the planned reopening this week for international tourism due to the threat of the Omicron variant.
From Reuters ● Dec. 2, 2021
Foden released Sterling and as the red shirts back-pedalled his effort needed a Fabinho block.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 2, 2020
He determined to keep his feet going as long as he safely could, and he back-pedalled gently to keep them in place.
From Harper's Round Table, October 22, 1895 by Various
Cummins took a fine catch back-pedalling at mid-on to end a seventh-wicket stand of 91.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2025
Suddenly the home side were back-pedalling, the left-winger racing to the penalty area’s edge before drawing a save from Claudio Bravo, the keeper flinging himself right.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 9, 2018
After centuries of perfecting the ritual of ‘civilized’ dining, there is a furious back-pedalling, a wilding, even among the chefs who employ the most cutting-edge techniques.
From Slate ● Nov. 7, 2013
Meanwhile, the asks what possessed the PM to suddenly announce a new law which has caused such back-pedalling.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2012
With a back-pedalling rim brake the cycle cannot be wheeled backwards unless a special device is used to throw the operating clutch out of action.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
