Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for back-pedal

back-pedal

[ bak-ped-l ]

verb (used without object)

, back-ped·aled, back-ped·al·ing or (especially British) back-ped·alled, back-ped·al·ling.
  1. to retard the forward motion by pressing backward on the pedal, especially 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, especially by stepping rapidly backward.


back-pedal

verb

  1. to turn the pedals of a bicycle backwards
  2. to retract or modify a previous opinion, principle, etc
  3. boxing to take backward steps
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of back-pedal1

First recorded in 1895–1900
Discover More

Example Sentences

Well upset—I cant swim—save the girls—dont blow up the engine—throw us a life preserver—back water—back pedal—put on brakes!

I am also the inventor of the back pedal braking and coasting bicycle hub, which has been in general use for many years.

Several times, when I wanted to slow up, I began to back-pedal, forgetting that I wasn't on my bicycle.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


back payback plastering