climb-down

[ klahym-doun ]

noun

1. a retreat, as from an indefensible opinion or position.

climb down

verb

1. to descend
2. often foll by from to retreat (from an opinion, position, etc)

noun

1. a retreat from an opinion, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of climb-down¹

First recorded in 1885–90; noun use of verb phrase climb down

Example Sentences

Arm's return as a public company represents a climb-down from the $64 billion it was valued at last month when SoftBank bought the 25% stake it did not directly own from its Vision Fund unit.

From Reuters

The diaries were found to be fake following inspection of their content and the paper and ink used, prompting an embarrassing climb-down one week after Stern's bombastic announcement of their discovery.

From Reuters

At a press conference announcing the organization’s climb-down, DeSantis preened at having prevented “marginalizing some of these athletes based on a decision that has no bearing on their ability to compete with honor or integrity.”

From Los Angeles Times

In translation: there is that more sanctions are coming - unless there's a significant climb-down from Russia.

From BBC

But Friday’s climb-down underscored the stakes of the upcoming 2022 election in Uttar Pradesh, experts say.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• disembark
• get off