Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - back-pedal

(back-pedals, back-pedalling, back-pedalled) Note: The spelling 'backpedal' is also used. The forms 'back-pedaling' and 'back-pedaled' are used in American English. 1. If you back-pedal, you express a different or less forceful opinion about something from the one you have previously expressed. Allen back-pedalled, saying that he had had no intention of offending them... He appeared to back-pedal on that statement. = backtrack VERB: V, V on n 2. If you say that someone back-pedals, you disapprove of their behaviour because they are not doing what they promised. She’s backpedaled twice already... The cabinet may backpedal on these commitments. VERB: V, V on/from n c darkgreen]disapproval • back-pedalling ...Britain’s back-pedalling on reforms. N-UNCOUNT