backpedal

Plural: backpedals

Verb

• pedal backwards on a bicycle
• step backwards, in boxing
• modify one's opinion, make it less strong
• To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
• To step backwards.
• To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.

Noun

• An act of backpedalling (in any sense).

Examples

• The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.
• Though initially adopting a hard-line stance, the politician soon started to backpedal.

Synonyms

climb down, walk back