backtrack

[bak-trak]

verb (used without object)

1. to return over the same course or route.

2. to withdraw from an undertaking, position, etc.; reverse a policy.

backtrack

/ ˈbækˌtræk /

verb

1. to return by the same route by which one has come

2. to retract or reverse one's opinion, action, policy, etc

Other Word Forms

• backtracking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of backtrack¹

An Americanism dating back to 1715–25; back ² + track

Example Sentences

You have this breakup, and now she’s sort of backtracking like Elon Musk did.

Read more on Salon

One of the complaints of Labour MPs about the welfare proposals on which the government was forced to backtrack earlier this year was that they were sprung on them without enough groundwork having been laid.

Read more on BBC

Over the past year, the government has been forced to backtrack on some of its policies - including cuts to welfare and the winter fuel payment - after objections from its own MPs.

Read more on BBC

Colombia's leftist president backtracked on a threat to cut decades-old intelligence ties with the United States Thursday, a move the country's ex-spy chiefs had dubbed "unthinkable" and "absurd."

Read more on Barron's

After first mass wartime protests and a backlash from the EU allies, he was forced to backtrack.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• fall back 
• retract 
• reverse