back-pedal

[bak-ped-l] / ˈbækˌpɛd l /

VERB

change mind

Synonyms

WEAK

back out of change opinion default on do a U-turn do an about-face fail to honor go back on go into reverse have second thoughts reconsider renege shift one's ground sing a different song take back

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the time, Nigeria also warned that it would not tolerate Ukraine's recruitment drive, forcing it to back-pedal.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025

Like a standup comedian who realizes he has gone too far, he was forced to back-pedal: “No, no. Don’t worry, nobody accepted it. But I tried like hell, I’ll tell you.”

From The Guardian • May 17, 2019

Carrey isn’t the first actor to back-pedal on a project—but he’s still bringing something new into the mix.

From Time • Jun. 25, 2013

After jokingly offering to marry Owens if she moved from Kentucky to Illinois, Lincoln tried to back-pedal when she appeared genuinely interested.

From Slate • Nov. 17, 2012

To back-pedal is to press on the pedal when it is coming up instead of when it is going down.

From Ladies in the Field: Sketches of Sport by Greville, Beatrice Violet Graham