hi all, for the tme bieng im translating a thesis about psycology, I met the word "backpeddle" that i found no meaning to it through many dictionaries on the web. could u help me plz with the meaning?
i shall be grateful
2007-02-03 18:47:27 · 12 answers · asked by Mudhefar M 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Backing away from a previously held position.
2007-02-03 18:51:14 · answer #1 · answered by ElOsoBravo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me give you an example so you understand it. When a politician doesn't own up to correct behavior in office; for instance when FEMA failed to respond to the New Orleans crisis, and the news media asked government reps why, they frequently "backpeddled" out of the answer---meaning, they figured out a way to avoid the answer through other distracting means, like dazzling us with their bull!!! So, people who "back out" of an answer, or doing the right thing, are backpeddling. When President Clinton said he did not "have sex with that woman [Monica Lewinsky]," he later claimed what she did to him was not legally "sex," so he was backpeddling out of an answer--thus, the truth. Does that help? Another interesting word that's similar is side-stepping, as in side-stepping the truth.
2007-02-03 18:55:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different translations of the bible would suggest love and charity are synonmus. Examples found in.1st Corrinthians ch. 13 vs. 1-17 illustrate this many times. I would enjoy hearing from a scholar of the languages used in those past times to clarify my understanding. The story of the "World's Poorest Philanthropist", Gilbert "Harold" Ewing II (myself) is the reason for this querry. The " act of grace", or charity, reffered to in the news interview, has posited this question and I lack the sort of education to provide any insights of true value.
2016-05-24 01:59:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ahh..then prepare to be grateful, my Friend!
"Back pedal" is used to describe the act of taking a position of making a promise only to later alter that position or reneg partially or wholly on the promise.
For example, if I claim that I am the greatest singer on earth, but then when pressured to prove it, I claim only to be a "better-than-average" singer, then I have "backpedaled".
It comes from the pedals on a bicycle which, on some kinds of bikes, when moved backwards slow down or stop the bicycle.
Get it?
Good.
Now be grateful. :o)
2007-02-03 18:55:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word should be "backPEDAL". It's what you might do on a bike (the kind of bike that let's you do that -- like kid's bikes) if, while bikeriding, you came upon an undesirable situation.
In life, when you commit a faux pas, you might try to recover by "backing up" and resaying what you meant... or maybe try over-explaining to get out of whatever trouble you might have brought upon yourself. We say we're backpedaling, then.
2007-02-03 18:53:31 · answer #5 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means to disagree with something you said usually. If you admit something one minute and then the next minute you say you didn't do it you are said to be "backpeddling"
2007-02-03 18:50:47 · answer #6 · answered by What? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the spelling is supposed to be backpedal. But it means to move hastily backward or reverse one's previous action or opinion. Think of it like riding a bike. You pedal back(wards). :)
2007-02-03 18:52:18 · answer #7 · answered by mbrdrck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To go over what you just did or back off or out of something.
2007-02-03 18:52:17 · answer #8 · answered by Tumbleweed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to say something and then try to deny it in a subtle way which is like a smoke screen.To go in reverse,to go back on your word.all bets are off to go backwards
2007-02-03 18:52:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To back off from the answer you already gave
2007-02-03 18:50:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋