walks back
Retracts a statement
To walk back a statement, position, or claim is to retreat from it, usually under pressure or after criticism.
Politicians walk back controversial remarks; companies walk back unpopular policies.
The image is of someone literally backing away from where they stood: After the backlash, the senator walked back her comments on immigration.
The phrase implies reluctant reversal rather than genuine change of mind.
- reconsidersReviews a prior decision
- clarifiesMakes more understandable
- retractsWithdraws a statement
- correctsFixes a mistake
- reversesSwitches to opposite direction
apologizes · damage control · saves face · amends · softens · modifies · backtracks · withdraws · disavows · reevaluates · flip-flops · explains · adjusts · sidesteps · pivots · turns around · compromises · negotiates
walks backpushes forward
Advances against resistance
advances · presses on · forges ahead · ramps up · steps up
walk, walks, walked, walking, walker, walkers, walkable, walkway, walkways