climb-down
Backing off publicly
A climb-down is a retreat from a position or demand, especially an embarrassing one.
The term suggests backing away from something you've publicly committed to: The government's climb-down on the tax proposal came after weeks of protest.
It implies loss of face—you climbed up to a position and now must descend.
Withdrawal from confrontation
- reversalComplete change of direction
- u-turn180-degree driving reversal
- about-faceFull directional reversal
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
capitulation · backtrack · surrender · admission · acknowledgment · compromise · yielding · acquiescence
backdown
Withdrawal from confrontation
- reversalComplete change of direction
- u-turn180-degree driving reversal
- about-faceFull directional reversal
retraction · capitulation · backtrack · surrender · admission · acknowledgment · compromise · yielding · acquiescence · recantation
rappel
Controlled rope descent
- abseilControlled rope descent
- downclimbClimbing in reverse direction
- loweringMoving something downward
descending · scramble · belay · foothold · handhold · ledge · crag · rockface · slope · gradient
- correctionscorrection, corrections, fix, fixing, rectification
- Social Diplomacywhite lie, tact, diplomacy, courtesy, politeness
climb-downescalation
Progressive increase in intensity
digging in · dig in · stand firm · hold the line · stick to one's guns