Backpedal

Quick meaning: Backpedal is a verb meaning (intransitive) To pedal backwards on a bicycle.

Meaning

(intransitive) To pedal backwards on a bicycle.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive) To step backwards.
2. (intransitive, idiomatic) To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.
3. An act of backpedalling (in any sense).

Example Sentences

The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.

Though initially adopting a hard-line stance, the politician soon started to backpedal.

Adidas is backpedaling fast over its latest attempt to protect its iconic three-stripe mark.

He should come out of his backpedal and turn to run only when a receiver threatens to get behind him in the zone.

Word Forms

• backpedals
• backpedaling
• backpedalling
• backpedaled
• backpedalled
• back-pedal
• backpeddle

Synonyms for backpedal

Depending on context, synonyms include backtrack.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include backpeddle, backpaddle, pedal, repeddle, back up, backstep.

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