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
Words nearby back-pedal
back-load,
back-mutate,
back-order,
back-paddle,
back-patting,
back-pedal,
back-seat driver,
back-slapping,
back-stabbing,
back-street,
back-talk
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.
Tom Swift and his Motor-cycle |Victor Appleton
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