to descend
(often foll by from) to retreat (from an opinion, position, etc)
First recorded in 1885–90; noun use of verb phrase climb down
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What he didn’t mention, though, was that China’s retaliation against the U.S. with triple-digit tariffs eventually led Washington to a climb-down as markets revolted.
From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 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
But Friday’s climb-down underscored the stakes of the upcoming 2022 election in Uttar Pradesh, experts say.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 19, 2021
"I think that is the cover to call it off ... a fig leaf to make it look like it is not a climb-down," he said.
From Reuters ● Oct. 23, 2021
The reason?—a kindly means of saving faces for those whom he and I were going to "persuade"—of making the "climb-down" easier for them!
From Angels & Ministers by Housman, Laurence
“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
They believe they are largely responsible for the authorities' climb down.
From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2025
Slowly, Kingshaw began to climb down from the castle.
From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill
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.
