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

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

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

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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Related Words

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

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