back-pedal (also backpedal) ( back-pedalling, back-pedalled, back-pedals )

• 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

  例：

  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。

  例：

  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]

  例：

  She's backpedalled twice already.

  她已经两次改变主意了。

  例：

  The cabinet may backpedal on these commitments.

  内阁可能会背弃这些承诺。

• 3. 

  back-pedaling N-UNCOUNT

  例：

  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。