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• climb-down
  climb-down

  noun

  a retreat, as from an indefensible opinion or position.
• climb down
  climb down

  verb

  to descend

climb-down

American  

[klahym-doun] / ˈklaɪmˌdaʊn /

noun

1. a retreat, as from an indefensible opinion or position.

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climb down British  

verb

1. to descend

2. (often foll by from) to retreat (from an opinion, position, etc)

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noun

1. a retreat from an opinion, etc

Etymology

Origin of climb-down

First recorded in 1885–90; noun use of verb phrase climb down

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

climb-down climb down

It is a remarkable climb-down, underscoring the difficulty of spurring the transition to electric vehicles even in an authoritarian country that brooks little dissent.

From Barron's ● May 19, 2026

Privately, though, they said that was exactly the reason for the climb-down, and Trump himself conceded that markets were getting a little too “yippy” for his taste.

From Slate ● Apr. 12, 2025

The IPO represents a climb-down from the $64 billion valuation at which SoftBank last month acquired the 25% stake it did not already own in the company from the $100 billion Vision Fund it manages.

From Reuters ● Sep. 13, 2023

Now running for attorney general, Mr. Griffin, an Army Reserve colonel, sought to put the best face on his climb-down.

From New York Times ● May 24, 2021

No one will ever know the cause of Germany’s suddenly belligerent attitude, and her equally speedy climb-down!

From Mysterious Mr. Sabin by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim

“They showed they could weather the storm and the administration had to climb down from the tariffs and spend most of the past year trying to mollify China.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

It takes some 45 seconds for a crane operator to climb down, let alone reach a shelter, Berestenko said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026

Biologists had to use a ladder to climb down into the space for his weekly feedings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2025

At least they did once the water had receded sufficiently for them to climb down from trees and clamber off their cars and try to re-orientate themselves.

From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2024

Malaga Island was still forbidden, but he began to explore the paths into the woods above Phippsburg and to hike along the peninsula’s Kennebec shore and climb down to its barnacled rocks.

From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt

Related Words

• disembark
• get off