BACKPEDAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does backpedal mean? 

• BACKPEDAL (verb)
  The verb BACKPEDAL has 3 senses:

1. pedal backwards on a bicycle

2. step backwards, in boxing

3. modify one's opinion, make it less strong

  Familiarity information: BACKPEDAL used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BACKPEDAL (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they backpedal    ... he / she / it backpedals   
Past simple: backpedaled    / backpedalled   
Past participle: backpedaled    / backpedalled   
-ing form: backpedaling    / backpedalling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pedal backwards on a bicycle

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "backpedal" is one way to...):

bicycle; bike; cycle; pedal; wheel (ride a bicycle)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Step backwards, in boxing

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "backpedal" is one way to...):

step (shift or move by taking a step)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 3

Meaning:

Modify one's opinion, make it less strong

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "backpedal" is one way to...):

rethink (change one's mind)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s