World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesRückzieher
Pronunciation / Transliteration: ˈʁʏkˌtsiːɐ̯
"Nach der Kritik machte er einen schnellen Rückzieher."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
The act of retreating from a previous opinion, commitment, or argument; a reversal of policy or stance.
"The politician's rapid backpedaling on tax reform confused voters."
- 1
To reverse one's policy, statement, or action under pressure.
"The company had to backpedal after facing intense public backlash."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the phrasal verb 'to backpedal', originating in the late 19th century from cycling terminology where cyclists pedal backward to brake or slow down. Over time, the term underwent a semantic shift to metaphorically describe reversing one's previous opinion, stance, or commitment in politics, negotiations, or public statements.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Backpedaling"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Backpedaling" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
rétractation
Transliteration: ʁe.tʁak.ta.sjɔ̃
"Son revirement a surpris tous les journalistes."
Rückzieher
Transliteration: ˈʁʏkˌtsiːɐ̯
"Nach der Kritik machte er einen schnellen Rückzieher."
retromarcia
Transliteration: re.troˈmar.tʃa
"Il governo ha fatto una brusca retromarcia."
retractación
Transliteration: re.tɾak.taˈsjon
"Su repentina retractación causó gran desconcierto."
atraso
Transliteration: aˈtɾa.su
"A força de atraso nas negociações prejudicou o acordo."
अपने शब्दों से पीछे हटना
Transliteration: apne shabdon se piche hatna
"मंत्रीजी को अपने बयान से पीछे हटना पड़ा।"
出尔反尔
Transliteration: chū ěr fǎn ěr
"他在关键问题上出尔反尔,失去了信任。"
말 바꾸기
Transliteration: mal bakkugi
"그의 잦은 말 바꾸기는 유권자들을 실망시켰다."
前言撤回
Transliteration: zangen tekkai
"彼の突然の前言撤回に批判が集まった。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all German termsA person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
To divide something into sections or categories, especially in order to make it easier to manage or understand.
Complete disorder and confusion.
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