backpedaling

From WikiWord, the free dictionary

English

Definitions

verb

To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
To step backwards.“The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.”
To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.“Though initially adopting a hard-line stance, the politician soon started to backpedal.”

noun

The act of distancing oneself from a previously supported idea, action, behaviour, etc.; a U-turn or flip-flop.

Related words

Synonyms

climb down backpedalling backdown u-turn climbdown retreat backstep retreating pullback pushback backout pull-back about-turn step back turning-away recoil

Rhymes

meddling treadling peddling pedalling medalling pedaling medaling heddling edling medal hung

References