Backpedal

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbækËŒpedəɫ/

Origin

back + pedal

Full definition of backpedal

Verb

1. (intransitive) To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
2. (intransitive) To step backwards.The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.
3. (intransitive, idiomatic) 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.

Synonyms

• (distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement) climb down