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ODE→back-pedal

back-pedal

Flag: gbEnglishOxford Dictionary of English
back-pedal /ˌbakˈpɛd(ə)l /
▸ verb [no object] move the pedals of a bicycle backwards (formerly to brake).
▪ reverse one's previous action or opinion:
Boyd quickly back-pedalled when asked to explain her suggestion.
▪ move hastily backwards:
Cook forced the goalkeeper to back-pedal and push a shot over the bar.