Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb US Simple past tense and past participle of backpedal.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Sarah Palin backpedaled so fast on that first statement that it should really terrify everyone - how is it not obvious yet that this woman will say anything about anyone just to keep the spotlight on herself?

    Cafferty: Are you interested in Palin's views on health care reform? 2009

  • Then he kind of backpedaled a little bit, and said well why don ` t you two, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu, when he was here at the White House, all three of them together, why don ` t ` you move forward anyway with these talks, these peace talks, not let the settlement issue derail those talks.

    CNN Transcript Nov 9, 2009 2009

  • I mean if you -- if you think about the fact there are many folks out there who believe Barack Obama kind of backpedaled his way into his foreign policy positions with respect to meeting with rogue leaders without preconditions.

    CNN Transcript Jul 8, 2008 2008

  • The pastor publicly backpedaled, and his associates feared he had finally crossed the line.

    American Grace Robert D. Putnam 2010

  • Mr. Patel and his family were told by Claire Cotter that the agency would help them renegotiate the loan and then backpedaled.

    Halsey Minor: FDIC: The Government's Job-Killer Halsey Minor 2010

  • Mr. Patel and his family were told by Claire Cotter that the agency would help them renegotiate the loan and then backpedaled.

    Halsey Minor: FDIC: The Government's Job-Killer Halsey Minor 2010

  • The next time Philadelphia got the ball, Vick recovered a blown snap and backpedaled toward the end zone, chucking the ball away as a pair of Redskins dragged him to the turf.

    The Eagles Are Back...Sorta Jason Gay 2011

  • Mr. Patel and his family were told by Claire Cotter that the agency would help them renegotiate the loan and then backpedaled.

    Halsey Minor: FDIC: The Government's Job-Killer Halsey Minor 2010

  • But since August, policy makers have backpedaled to limit the impact from the worsening global outlook.

    Stage Set for China to Launch Stimulus Bob Davis 2011

  • He told one crowd he favored repealing the 17th Amendment, which allows for the direct election of senators, then later backpedaled ...

    Denver Post: Michael Bennet for U.S. Senate 2010

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