climbdown

Embarrassing position change

A climbdown is a retreat from a stated position, especially an embarrassing or reluctant one.

The word implies backing away from something you publicly committed to: The minister's climbdown on the tax proposal surprised her supporters.

British usage favors the noun; Americans more often use the verb phrase climb down.

concession

backtrack

Reverse one's position

u-turn180-degree driving reversal
about-faceFull directional reversal
reversalComplete change of direction

retraction · capitulation · surrender · yielding · admission · acknowledgment · recantation · acquiescence · submission · walkback

negotiation

compromise

Agreement through mutual sacrifice

settlementResolved dispute or colony
concessionYielding a point
agreementShared position between parties

negotiation · mediation · resolution · deal · accord · arrangement · give-and-take · middle-ground · adjustment · reconciliation

descent

rappel

Controlled rope descent

abseilControlled rope descent
downclimbClimbing in reverse direction
descentDownward slope or lineage

lowering · scramble · belay · rope · harness · foothold · handhold · crag · rockface · ladder

Categories

reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
correctionscorrection, corrections, fix, fixing, rectification

Opposites

position/stance reversal

climbdownescalation

Progressive increase in intensity

doubling down · entrenchment · defiance · stand firm · dig in

conflict dynamics

climbdownescalation

Progressive increase in intensity

intensification · provocation · aggression · confrontation · rise

conflict intensity trajectory

climbdownescalation

Progressive increase in intensity

intensification · provocation · aggravation · flare-up · heightening

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G