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

Some of that is attributed to people using less water related to the wet weather, in which people are more likely to scale back water use outside, and some of that is attributed to customers cutting back, said Alex Chen, SPU’s director of drinking water.

From Seattle Times

"Where are the investors, investing in Land Back water rights?"

From Salon

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

From Seattle Times

Neither does cutting back water for struggling baby salmon when it’s pouring rain.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

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