backstepping
Reversing one's steps
Backstepping is walking backward, stepping in reverse.
The term appears in dance instruction for moves requiring backward movement, and in technical contexts like robotics or control systems where processes reverse direction.
Figuratively, backstepping suggests retreating from a position or undoing progress: The committee accused the mayor of backstepping on her campaign promises.
Smooth partner dance
- waltzDance in three-quarter time
- tangoLatin ballroom with sharp stops
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
- quickstepFast-paced ballroom dance
cha-cha · swing · salsa · rumba · jive · pasodoble · mambo · bolero
Act of taking away
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- pullbackWithdrawal or reduction
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
- recoilBackward force from discharge
retreat · evacuation · yielding · concession · rearguard · defensive · regrouping · tactical withdrawal
Slow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- waryGuardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
careful · apprehensive · reluctant · hedging · noncommittal · reserved · timid · holding back
Reversing to find alternatives
- retracingFollowing a route again
- undoingCause of destruction
- rollbackReturn to prior condition
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
about-face · U-turn · reversion · walking back · retrogression · flip-flop · reverting · recanting
Rope-controlled descent technique
- descendingMoving downward
- downclimbingControlled descent without rope
- belayingFixing rope for safety
- abseilingControlled rope descent
bouldering · scrambling · footwork · rockface · traverse · handhold · foothold · crevice
foxtrot
Smooth partner dance
quickstep · cha-cha · swing · salsa · rumba · jive · pasodoble · mambo · bolero · country
withdrawal
Act of taking away
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- pullbackWithdrawal or reduction
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
recoil · retreat · evacuation · yielding · concession · rearguard · defensive · regrouping · tactical withdrawal · giving ground
hesitant
Slow to act
circumspect · careful · apprehensive · reluctant · hedging · noncommittal · reserved · timid · holding back · second-guessing
backtracking
Reversing to find alternatives
retraction · about-face · U-turn · reversion · walking back · retrogression · flip-flop · reverting · recanting · rewinding
rappelling
Rope-controlled descent technique
- descendingMoving downward
- downclimbingControlled descent without rope
- belayingFixing rope for safety
abseiling · bouldering · scrambling · footwork · rockface · traverse · handhold · foothold · crevice · ledge
- control theorycontrollability, observability, feedback loops, passivity
backsteppingadvancing
Moving in forward direction
moving forward · proceeding · forging ahead · progressing · pushing ahead
backsteppingprogressing
Moving toward completion
advancing · moving ahead · making progress · forging ahead · pushing forward
backsteppingengaging
Pleasantly attractive, compelling attention
committing · leaning in · holding ground · confronting · doubling down
step, backward, footstep, backwards, sidestep, stepping, doorstep, misstep, stepped