backstep
Rearward foot movement
Backstep means to step backward, either literally or figuratively.
In dance, a backstep is a movement retreating from one's partner.
More broadly, to backstep is to reverse course or retreat from a position: The company backstepped on its controversial policy after public outcry.
The word suggests cautious withdrawal rather than bold reversal.
Act of taking away
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- pullbackWithdrawal or reduction
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
retreat · regression · backpedal · reverse · yield · concede · retrace · withdraw
Reverse a prior action
- retractWithdraw something said
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- renegeBreak a pledge
- reverse courseChange to opposite direction
flip-flop · about-face · pivot · retraction · recantation · disavowal · rescind · revoke
Fast-paced ballroom dance
- foxtrotSmooth partner dance
- waltzDance in three-quarter time
- tangoLatin ballroom with sharp stops
- salsaSpicy tomato condiment
ballroom · swing · jive · choreography · rhythm · chacha · rumba · samba
Delay from uncertainty
- warinessCautious distrust
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
reticence · guardedness · reluctance · reservation · pause · carefulness · vigilance · apprehension
withdrawal
Act of taking away
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- pullbackWithdrawal or reduction
disengagement · retreat · regression · backpedal · reverse · yield · concede · retrace · withdraw · disengage
undo
Reverse a prior action
- retractWithdraw something said
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- renegeBreak a pledge
reverse course · flip-flop · about-face · pivot · retraction · recantation · disavowal · rescind · revoke · withdraw
quickstep
Fast-paced ballroom dance
salsa · ballroom · swing · jive · choreography · rhythm · chacha · rumba · samba · sequence
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- warinessCautious distrust
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
circumspection · reticence · guardedness · reluctance · reservation · pause · carefulness · vigilance · apprehension · doubt
- maneuversmaneuver, feint, dodge, evasion, evasive action
- retreatwithdrawal, retreating, backing up, backing away, backing off
- stepspace, stride, baby steps, tread, stomp
- fighting techniquesblock, parry, counter, dodge, guard
- footworkpivot turn, shuffle, slide, crossover, lateral shuffle
- danceballet, breaking, folk dances, b-boying, folk dance
backstepstep forward
Move toward something
forward step · advance · move forward · front step · approach
backstepadvance
Move or progress forward
progress · step forward · gain ground · move ahead · push forward