to backpedal

listen to the pronunciation of to backpedal
English - English
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.

To step backwards

The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.

pedal backwards on a bicycle
step backwards, in boxing
modify one' opinion, make it less strong step backwards, in boxing pedal backwards on a bicycle
To pedal backwards on a bicycle
modify one' opinion, make it less strong
{f} pedal backwards; change one's opinion
to backpedal
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