back-pedal

[ bak-ped-l ]
/ ˈbækˌpɛd l /

verb (used without object), back-ped·aled, back-ped·al·ing or (especially British) back-ped·alled, back-ped·al·ling.

to retard the forward motion by pressing backward on the pedal, especially of a bicycle with coaster brakes.
to retreat from or reverse one's previous stand on any matter; shift ground: to back-pedal after severe criticism.
Boxing. to retreat from an opponent, especially by stepping rapidly backward.

Origin of back-pedal

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example sentences from the Web for back-pedal

  • Several times, when I wanted to slow up, I began to back-pedal, forgetting that I wasn't on my bicycle.

British Dictionary definitions for back-pedal

back-pedal

verb -pedals, -pedalling or -pedalled or US -pedals, -pedaling or -pedaled (intr)

to turn the pedals of a bicycle backwards
to retract or modify a previous opinion, principle, etc
boxing to take backward steps