back-pedal

back-pedal
/bak"ped'l/, v.i., back-pedaled, back-pedaling or (esp. Brit.) back-pedalled, back-pedalling.
1. to retard the forward motion by pressing backward on the pedal, esp. of a bicycle with coaster brakes.
2. to retreat from or reverse one's previous stand on any matter; shift ground: to back-pedal after severe criticism.
3. Boxing. to retreat from an opponent, esp. by stepping rapidly backward.
[1895-1900]

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • back-pedal — back pedals, back pedalling, back pedalled (The spelling backpedal is also used. The forms back pedaling and back pedaled are used in American English.) 1) VERB If you back pedal, you express a different or less forceful opinion about something… …   English dictionary

  • back-pedal — [v] change mind back out of, change opinion, default on, do an about face, do a U turn, fail to honor, go back on, go into reverse, have second thoughts, reconsider, renege, shift one’s ground, sing a different song*, take back; concept 13 …   New thesaurus

  • back-pedal — ► VERB 1) move the pedals of a bicycle backwards in order to brake. 2) hastily reverse one s previous action or opinion …   English terms dictionary

  • back-pedal — back′ ped al v. i. ped•aled, ped•al•ing (esp. brit.) ped•alled, ped•al•ling. 1) to retard the forward motion of a bicycle by pressing backward on the pedal 2) to retreat from or reverse one s previous stand on a matter 3) spo to make quick steps… …   From formal English to slang

  • back pedal — v. pedal backwards; change one s opinion; (Boxing) pull back by quickly moving backward from opponent …   English contemporary dictionary

  • back-pedal — /ˈbæk pɛdl / (say bak pedl) verb (i) (back pedalled or, US, back pedaled, back pedalling or, US, back pedaling) 1. to press the pedals of a bicycle backwards, as in slowing down. 2. to make an effort to slow down, or reverse one s course, as to… …  

  • back-pedal — v retract, take back, withdraw, recant, disavow, unsay, Inf. eat or swallow one s words; retreat, back up, backtrack, reverse oneself, renege, Sl. cop out, back down or out of; shift ground, change sides, tergiversate; about face, do an about… …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

  • back-pedal — v take back, retract, change your mind, about face, about turn, have second thoughts, abandon, yield, submit, surrender, concede, give in, retreat, withdraw, backtrack, go back on, climb down FORMAL renege, tergiversate COLLOQ. do a U turn …   Useful english dictionary

  • back-pedal — verb 1》 move the pedals of a bicycle backwards (formerly in order to brake). 2》 hastily reverse one s previous action or opinion …   English new terms dictionary

  • back-pedal —  Withdraw from previously adopted position. Stop. Pause …   A concise dictionary of English slang

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