Back-pedal
to retard the forward motion by pressing backward on the pedal, especially of a bicycle with coaster brakes.
to retreat from or reverse one’s previous stand on any matter; shift ground:
to back-pedal after severe criticism.
Boxing. to retreat from an opponent, especially by stepping rapidly backward.
Historical Examples
Several times, when I wanted to slow up, I began to back-pedal, forgetting that I wasn’t on my bicycle.
Tom Swift and his Motor-cycle Victor Appleton
verb (intransitive) -pedals, -pedalling, -pedalled (US) -pedals, -pedaling, -pedaled
to turn the pedals of a bicycle backwards
to retract or modify a previous opinion, principle, etc
(boxing) to take backward steps
verb
To retreat, esp from a stated position; back off, back out: This news caused the candidate to back-pedal hastily (1900+)
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