backpedal

Meaning

Verb

1. (intransitive) To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
2. (intransitive) To step backwards.
3. (idiomatic, intransitive) To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.

Noun

An act of backpedalling (in any sense).

Synonyms

pull back

withdraw

retract

back down

retire

retrograde

retreat

cancel

cramp

crawfish

cringe

draw back

ebb away

excuse

fall back

fiddle

filibuster

flip-flop

forswear

get out

pedal

pull away

pull out

recede

back

🔙

retard

set back

skid

stem

stonewall

crawfish out

move back

resile

shrink from

unsanctify

renege

back away

back off

back out

backtrack

back up

brake

Translations

faire marche arrière

rétropédaler

βηματίζω προς τα πίσω

κάνω πετάλ

retratar-se

pedalear al revés

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbækˌpɛdəɫ/

Etymology

From back + pedal.