English Dictionary

BACKPEDAL

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does backpedal mean? 

BACKPEDAL (verb)
  The verb BACKPEDAL has 3 senses:

1. pedal backwards on a bicycleplay

2. step backwards, in boxingplay

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

  Familiarity information: BACKPEDAL used as a verb is uncommon.


 Dictionary entry details 


BACKPEDAL (verb)

 Conjugation: 
Present simple: I / you / we / they backpedal  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation ... he / she / it backpedals  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
Past simple: backpedaled  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation / backpedalled  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
Past participle: backpedaled  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation / backpedalled  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
-ing form: backpedaling  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation / backpedalling  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation


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


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