Question of the Day #922

Republicans, gobsmacked by abortion backlash, furiously backpedal in a struggle to rebrand

From the headline of this article at Salon.com.

  上記の文で、backpedalの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "backpedal" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〔自転車の〕ペダルを逆に踏む［こぐ］
2. 〔意見・立場などを〕変える、〔言ったことを〕撤回する、〔約束を〕翻す
3. 逆方向に進む

例の見出しは当然2番目の訳になります。
 

Answer

According to :

to retreat or move backward

 

Examples

• Allen back-pedaled, saying that he had had no intention of offending them.
• The cabinet may backpedal on these commitments.
• After a public outcry and protests from 900 Gold Start family members, among others, the administration was forced to backpedal the concession to Iran. — Fox News, 29 Dec. 2022
• In his campaign, Mr. Legault has had to backpedal several times after making comments that, his critics say, reveal the divisiveness of his nationalism. — Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2022
• Some Republicans are trying to backpedal or soften their stances. — Katie Glueck, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022

   

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