backpedal [
,bæk'pedl]
vi. 倒踏脚踏板, 后退, 变卦
- They promised to cut taxes, but they're beginning to backpedal now.
他们答应要减税,现在却开始打退堂鼓。
backpedal[ verb ]- pedal backwards on a bicycle
<verb.motion>
- step backwards, in boxing
<verb.motion>
- modify one's opinion, make it less strong
<verb.cognition>
backpedal \back"ped*al\ v. i.
1. pedal backwards, as on a bicycle.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. step backwards, in boxing.
[WordNet 1.5]
3. modify one' opinion, usually by making it less strong or
adding qualifications.
[WordNet 1.5]
- The White House quickly began to backpedal to deal with panicky Republicans.