backpedal
Take it back
To backpedal is to pedal a bicycle backward or, in sports like boxing, to move backward quickly while facing an opponent.
The figurative sense dominates: to retreat from a previous position or statement.
Politicians backpedal when their remarks prove unpopular; companies backpedal on controversial policies.
After the backlash, she backpedaled on her earlier comments.
Formally withdraw a statement
- walk backReverse a prior position
- reverseTurn to opposite
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- disavowDeny any association
renounce · rescind · revoke · repudiate · disclaim · take back · climb down · flip-flop
Remove or pull away
- pull backTo retreat or disengage
- fall backWithdraw from advance
- step backCreate distance, literally/figuratively
- disengageBreak free from attachment
recoil · reverse course · back away · back off · give ground · yield · concede · surrender
Avoid by quick movement
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- evadeEscape by cunning
- hedgeBoundary of planted shrubs
- deflectTurn from course
avoid · waffle · equivocate · stall · hem and haw · weasel · duck · stonewall
Foot-operated levers
- coaster brakeBackpedal-activated stopping system
- fixed gearDrivetrain without freewheel
- fixieSingle-gear bicycle
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
crankset · drivetrain · BMX · wheelie · braking · decelerate · slow down · momentum
recant
Formally withdraw a statement
disavow · renounce · rescind · revoke · repudiate · disclaim · take back · climb down · flip-flop · about-face
withdraw
Remove or pull away
- pull backTo retreat or disengage
- fall backWithdraw from advance
- step backCreate distance, literally/figuratively
disengage · recoil · reverse course · back away · back off · give ground · yield · concede · surrender · capitulate
dodge
Avoid by quick movement
deflect · avoid · waffle · equivocate · stall · hem and haw · weasel · duck · stonewall · prevaricate
pedals
Foot-operated levers
- coaster brakeBackpedal-activated stopping system
- fixed gearDrivetrain without freewheel
- fixieSingle-gear bicycle
cadence · crankset · drivetrain · BMX · wheelie · braking · decelerate · slow down · momentum · balance
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- athletic movesjump, run, sprint, dive, throw
- maneuversmaneuver, feint, sidestep, dodge, evasion
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
- goalkeepingsave, saves, goalkeeper, goalie, goaltender
- agility drillsagility ladder, agility drills, cone drills, ladder drill, ladder drills
backpedaldouble down
Strengthen one's stance
stand firm · dig in · stick to one's guns · commit · reaffirm
backpedaladvance
Move or progress forward
push forward · move forward · forge ahead · press on · charge ahead
backpedaling, backpedaled, backpedals, backpedalled, backpedalling