backpedal

• back-pedal

back +‎ pedal

• IPA^(key): /ˈbækˌpɛdəɫ/

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backpedal (third-person singular simple present backpedals, present participle (US) backpedaling or (UK) backpedalling, simple past and past participle (US) backpedaled or (UK) backpedalled)

1. (intransitive) To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
   • 1984, Roald Dahl, Boy:

     The road was on a hill and the boy was going down the slope, and as he flashed by he started backpedalling very quickly so that the free-wheeling mechanism of his bike made a loud whirring sound.

2. (intransitive) To step backwards.

   The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.

3. (intransitive, idiomatic) To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.

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

• (distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement): climb down, walk back

• backpedal brake (on a bicycle)
• backpedaler, backpedaller