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
Arm's return as a public company represents a climb-down from the $64 billion it was valued at last month when SoftBank bought the 25% stake it did not directly own from its Vision Fund unit.
From Reuters ● Sep. 14, 2023
Ireland is ready to sign up to a proposed global agreement for a minimum tax on companies, a climb-down that removes one hurdle to an unprecedented deal that would reshape the landscape for multinationals.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 7, 2021
He was feeling better disposed toward Adair and Sedleigh then he had felt, but he was not sure that he was quite prepared to go as far as a complete climb-down.
From Mike and Psmith by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)
“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
They believe they are largely responsible for the authorities' climb down.
From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2025
According to the prosecution, the two men, homeless immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador who were sleeping on the roof, complied with police requests to climb down and put their hands up.
From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2024
“Once more into the breach,” she said, and began to climb down.
From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs
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.
