backpedal — ack ped*al v. i. 1. pedal backwards, as on a bicycle. [WordNet 1.5] 2. step backwards, in boxing. [WordNet 1.5] 3. modify one opinion, usually by making it less strong or adding qualifications. [WordNet 1.5] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
backpedal — [bak′ped΄ l] vi. backpedaled or backpedalled, backpedaling or backpedalling 1. to press backward on the pedals of a bicycle, as to brake ☆ 2. to move backward quickly, as in boxing to avoid blows ☆ 3. to retract an earlier opinion … English World dictionary
backpedal — verb a) To pedal backwards on a bicycle. The player had to backpedal before catching the ball. b) To step backwards. Though initially adopting a hard line stance, the politician soon started to backpedal … Wiktionary
backpedal — UK [ˈbækˌped(ə)l] / US [bækˈped(ə)l] / US [ˈbækˌped(ə)l] verb [intransitive] Word forms backpedal : present tense I/you/we/they backpedal he/she/it backpedals present participle backpedalling past tense backpedalled past participle backpedalled… … English dictionary
backpedal — intransitive verb Date: 1901 to retreat or move backward … New Collegiate Dictionary
backpedal — Synonyms and related words: arrest, back, back away, back off, back out, back up, backtrack, backtrail, backwater, brake, check, clip the wings, countermarch, crawfish out, cry off, curb, decelerate, delay, detain, dodge, draw rein, duck, ease… … Moby Thesaurus
backpedal — I (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) v. retract, take back, recant, retreat, renege, back down. II (Roget s Thesaurus II) verb To move in a reverse direction: back, backtrack, fall back, retreat, retrocede, retrograde, retrogress. Idiom: retrace one s… … English dictionary for students
backpedal — back|ped|al [ˌbækˈpedl US ˈbækˌpedl] v past tense and past participle backpedalled present participle backpedalling BrE past tense and past participle backpedaled present participle backpedaling AmE [I] 1.) to change your opinion or not do… … Dictionary of contemporary English
backpedal — back|ped|al [ bæk pedl, bæk,pedl ] (present participle back|ped|al|ing or back|ped|al|ling; past tense and past participle back|ped|aled or back|ped|alled) verb intransitive 1. ) to show that you are no longer certain about a previous opinion,… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
backpedal — v. pedal backwards; change one s opinion … English contemporary dictionary
