Definition of "backpedal" [back•ped•al]

• To move the pedals of a bicycle or similar vehicle backward, especially to apply a brake. (verb-intransitive)
• To move backward by taking short quick steps, as in boxing or football. (verb-intransitive)
• To retreat or withdraw from a position or attitude: The senator later backpedaled on the issue. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The hospitals — which were the first to backpedal from the initial industry agreement to lower health care spending by 1.5 percentage points over 10 years — objected."
• "Has marginal timed speed, his backpedal is stiff and high and he often gets turned around by the slot receivers and tight ends working the short area ..."
• "It’s a backpedal from the claim I was addressing, as well as from Matthew’s claim."