back-pedal

American  

[bak-ped-l] / ˈbækˌpɛd l /

verb (used without object)

back-pedaled, back-pedaling, back-pedalled, back-pedalling

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.

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back-pedal British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of back-pedal

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

He later tried to back-pedal, claiming he was misquoted, but the country's human rights body found his comments "hurtful and harmful".

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

Dendoncker wastefully lifted Matt Doherty’s cutback over the bar from the corner of the six-yard box, and Rúben Neves forced De Gea to quickly back-pedal to hold on to a spectacular volley.

From The Guardian • Apr. 2, 2019

Carrey isn’t the first actor to back-pedal on a project—but he’s still bringing something new into the mix.

From Time • Jun. 25, 2013

After jokingly offering to marry Owens if she moved from Kentucky to Illinois, Lincoln tried to back-pedal when she appeared genuinely interested.

From Slate • Nov. 17, 2012

A second later, he was standing on my toes, elbows jammed into my chest, as he tried to back-pedal into the closet-sized kitchen we'd just left.

From Little Brother by Doctorow, Cory