back-pedal

listen to the pronunciation of back-pedal
Englisch - Englisch
If you back-pedal, you express a different or less forceful opinion about something from the one you have previously expressed. Allen back-pedalled, saying that he had had no intention of offending them He appeared to back-pedal on that statement. = backtrack
disapproval If you say that someone back-pedals, you disapprove of their behaviour because they are not doing what they promised. She's backpedaled twice already The cabinet may backpedal on these commitments. + back-pedalling back-pedalling Britain's back-pedalling on reforms
The spelling backpedal is also used. The forms back-pedaling and back-pedaled are used in American English
backpedal
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.

backpedal
To step backwards

The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.

back pedal
{f} pedal backwards; change one's opinion; (Boxing) pull back by quickly moving backward from opponent
backpedal
pedal backwards on a bicycle
backpedal
step backwards, in boxing
backpedal
modify one' opinion, make it less strong step backwards, in boxing pedal backwards on a bicycle
backpedal
To pedal backwards on a bicycle
backpedal
modify one' opinion, make it less strong
backpedal
{f} pedal backwards; change one's opinion