Definition of "backpedal" in English

Verb

1. To pedal backwards on a bicycle.

2. To step backwards.

   • The player had to backpedal before catching the ball.

3. To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.

   • Though initially adopting a hard-line stance, the politician soon started to backpedal.

Noun

1. An act of backpedalling (in any sense).