1. to paddle a boat or canoe backward; to reverse direction by paddling
Usage: nautical; third person singular present or plural present
2. to retreat from a position or commitment; to back down or reverse a decision
Usage: figurative; informal

Examples

• The canoeist backpaddles to avoid the rocks ahead.
• When the current became too strong, she backpaddles to safety.
• After the criticism, the politician backpaddles on his earlier statement.
• He backpaddles whenever confronted with difficult questions.
• The team backpaddles from its original plan due to budget cuts.
• She quickly backpaddles out of the narrow channel.