back-pedal

柯林斯词典

1. V-I If you back-pedal, you express a different or less forceful opinion about something from the one you have previously expressed. 改变立场
Allen back-pedalled, saying that he had had no intention of offending them. 爱伦改变了立场，表示他没有冒犯他们的意思。
He appeared to back-pedal on that statement. 他似乎想撤回那个说词。
2. V-I If you say that someone back-pedals, you disapprove of their behaviour because they are not doing what they promised. 背弃[表不满]
She's backpedalled twice already. 她已经两次改变主意了。
The cabinet may backpedal on these commitments. 内阁可能会背弃这些承诺。
3. back-pedalingN-UNCOUNT
The paper put the controversy on the front page. And the next day, the back-pedalling began. 报纸把此项争议刊登在首页。隔天，撤回的呼声就开始了。