backpedal
back·ped·al [ ˈbak-ˌpe-dᵊl]
[ˈbak-ˌpe-dᵊl]
backpedaled; backpedaling; backpedals
Recent Examples on the Web
//Paris Saint-Germain remain the Ligue 1 favorites for now, but manager Thomas Tuchel is already backpedaling after just two matches this season.
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Pat Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati: Issue No. 4 of The Touchline Newsletter," 22 Aug. 2019
//And do not crack a smile as your sister-in-law wearily tries to backpedal.
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Judith Martin, Washington Post, "Miss Manners: Try taking mean-spirited ‘joke’ seriously," 26 Aug. 2019
//Jenkins, playing the center-field position in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s cover-three scheme, backpedaled and timed his jump perfectly to grab his first career interception.
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Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, "Late Detroit touchdown is one of the few defensive blemishes for Chargers," 15 Sep. 2019
//This isn’t to suggest that everyone who goes the bridge-burning route winds up backpedaling, or that there are always extenuating circumstances for the employer whose behavior is being called out.
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Sarah Todd, Quartz at Work, "The strange tale of the political staffer who quit on his boss’s Twitter account," 24 July 2019
//Using only his left hand, Mack shoved backpedaling left tackle Nate Solder off his feet and into the legs of Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
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Will Larkin, chicagotribune.com, "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 80, Khalil Mack," 18 June 2019
//On Sunday, the newspaper published an interview in which Davis backpedaled.
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Frank Miles, Fox News, "Cohen lawyer admits he was anonymous CNN source for bombshell story on Trump Tower meeting," 27 Aug. 2018
//Most days, the clock would be winding down, with Doering backpedaling before falling backward while making a one-handed, game-winning touchdown catch just like James Jones in 1982.
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Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida, Miami renew rivalry with a rich history mostly lost on current Gators, 'Canes," 22 Aug. 2019
//Later the White House seemed to backpedal a bit and talk up the dollar.
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Fortune, "The Week Trump and Xi Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Trade War—CEO Daily," 10 Aug. 2019
First Known Use of backpedal
1896, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries near backpedal