climb-downs

Backing off stances

Climb-downs is the plural of climb-down, a retreat from a previously stated position or demand.

The term suggests backing down from something you've publicly committed to: The government's climb-downs on tax policy embarrassed the prime minister.

More common in British than American English.

confrontation

retreats

Backs off or sanctuaries

capitulationComplete yielding to demands
surrendersCeases resistance formally
face-savingProtecting one's dignity

humiliation · standoffs · disputes · ultimatums · threats · bluffs · reversals · apologies · admissions · ego

political

reversals

Changes to opposite directions

backtrackingReversing to find alternatives
U-turns180-degree directional reversals
retreatsBacks off or sanctuaries

concessions · government · policy · embarrassment · opposition · ministers · parliament · humiliation · negotiations · Brexit

diplomatic

concessions

Things granted or yielded

negotiationsFormal discussion seeking agreement
retreatsBacks off or sanctuaries
de-escalationReducing conflict intensity

compromises · summits · standoffs · tensions · demands · ultimatums · face-saving · backtracking · agreements · treaties

Opposites

positional movement in conflict/negotiation

climb-downsescalations

Increases in intensity

ramp-ups · intensifications · build-ups · provocations · aggressions

assertion of position

climb-downsentrenchments

Fortified defensive positions

defiances · ultimatums · intransigence · obstinacy · belligerence

assertiveness/position-holding

climb-downsescalations

Increases in intensity

stand-offs · holdouts · entrenchments · doubling down · defiance

Family

climb-down, climb, climbs, climbed, climbing, climber, climbers, climbable, down

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