backtrack
/'bæktræk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To go back over the same path or route that one has just taken: To return along the way one came, often literally.
- To reverse one's position, opinion, or policy: To withdraw from or reverse a previous statement, decision, or course of action, especially when faced with difficulty or opposition.
Usage and Examples
Literal meaning (retracing a path):
- We lost the trail and had to backtrack for nearly a mile.
- The detective backtracked through the suspect's movements on the day of the crime.
Figurative meaning (reversing a position or decision):
- The government was forced to backtrack on its proposed tax increase after public protests.
- He quickly backtracked on his criticism when he realized he was mistaken.
Advanced Usage
- "to backtrack on something": This is a common collocation used with the figurative meaning, indicating what specific statement, promise, or plan is being reversed.
- The company backtracked on its promise to avoid layoffs.
- Used to describe a strategic or tactical withdrawal in an argument, negotiation, or plan.
Variants and Related Words
- Backtracking (noun): The act of retracing one's steps or reversing a position.
- His constant backtracking made him seem indecisive.
- Backpedal (verb): A close synonym, often used interchangeably in the figurative sense of reversing an opinion.
Synonyms
- Retrace one's steps: To go back the way one came.
- Reverse course: To change direction or policy to the opposite.
- Recant: To formally withdraw or disavow a former statement or belief (stronger, often used for opinions).
Related Phrasal Verbs/Idioms
- Turn back: Similar to the literal meaning of 'backtrack'.
- The road was blocked, so we had to turn back.
- Do a U-turn: An idiom meaning to make a complete reversal in policy or opinion.
- The senator did a U-turn on his support for the bill.
Verb
- retrace one's course
- The hikers got into a storm and had to turn back