How Do You Spell BACKPEDALING?

Pronunciation: [bˈakpɪdə͡lɪŋ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "backpedaling" can be easily explained with the use of IPA phonetic transcription. The first part of the word, "back", is pronounced as "bæk", where the "a" sound is a short vowel sound. The second part, "pedaling", is pronounced as "pəˈdeɪlɪŋ", where the stress is on the second syllable and the "a" sound is a long vowel sound. The spelling of the word successfully captures the pronunciation of its two parts, making it easy to understand and remember.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
Basic Check Advanced Check

BACKPEDALING Meaning and Definition

  1. Backpedaling refers to the act of reversing or retreating from a previous stance, position, or statement. It is commonly used to describe the behavior of individuals who are attempting to retract or revise their initial views, actions, or commitments. The term originates from the physical action of a cyclist pedaling backward to slow down or move in the opposite direction.

    In a figurative sense, backpedaling often occurs when someone encounters criticism, opposition, or evidence that challenges their original position. It involves an attempt to mitigate, downplay, or otherwise distance oneself from their earlier statements or actions. Backpedaling can manifest in various ways, ranging from minor adjustments to complete and abrupt reversals.

    Individuals engaging in backpedaling may offer justifications, explanations, or apologies for their previous stance, often claiming that they were misunderstood or taken out of context. The intention behind backpedaling is typically aimed at minimizing potential negative impacts or consequences from their initial position.

    Backpedaling is commonly observed in the realms of politics, public relations, and personal relationships. It can sometimes be perceived as a lack of integrity or an attempt to evade accountability, depending on the circumstances and motives.

    Overall, backpedaling refers to the act of distancing oneself from a prior belief, statement, or decision due to criticism or unfavorable circumstances, often with the goal of protecting one's reputation or minimizing the fallout.

Top Common Misspellings for BACKPEDALING *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for BACKPEDALING

Etymology of BACKPEDALING

The word "backpedaling" is derived from two separate words: "back" and "pedal".

1. "Back" has Old English roots and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "bakam", meaning "back" or "behind".

2. "Pedal" comes from the Latin word "pedālis", meaning "a foot or foot-breadth". This Latin term is derived from "pes", meaning "foot".

When these two words are combined, "backpedaling" describes the action of pedaling, or moving backward, as if operating bicycle pedals in reverse. It figuratively refers to the act of retracting or reversing one's position, typically during an argument or decision-making process.

Similar spelling words for BACKPEDALING

Conjugate verb Backpedaling

CONDITIONAL

I would backpedal
we would backpedal
you would backpedal
he/she/it would backpedal
they would backpedal

FUTURE

I will backpedal
we will backpedal
you will backpedal
he/she/it will backpedal
they will backpedal

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled
we will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled
you will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled
he/she/it will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled
they will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled

PAST

I backpedalled, backpedaled
we backpedalled, backpedaled
you backpedalled, backpedaled
he/she/it backpedalled, backpedaled
they backpedalled, backpedaled

PAST PERFECT

I had backpedalled, had backpedaled
we had backpedalled, had backpedaled
you had backpedalled, had backpedaled
he/she/it had backpedalled, had backpedaled
they had backpedalled, had backpedaled

PRESENT

I backpedal
we backpedal
you backpedal
he/she/it backpedals
they backpedal

PRESENT PERFECT

I have backpedaled, have backpedalled
we have backpedaled, have backpedalled
you have backpedaled, have backpedalled
he/she/it has backpedaled, has backpedalled
they have backpedaled, have backpedalled
I am backpedaling, am backpedalling
we are backpedalling, are backpedaling
you are backpedalling, are backpedaling
he/she/it is backpedaling, is backpedalling
they are backpedalling, are backpedaling
I was backpedalling, was backpedaling
we were backpedaling, were backpedalling
you were backpedaling, were backpedalling
he/she/it was backpedalling, was backpedaling
they were backpedaling, were backpedalling
I will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling
we will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling
you will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling
he/she/it will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling
they will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling
I have been backpedaling, have been backpedalling
we have been backpedaling, have been backpedalling
you have been backpedalling, have been backpedaling
he/she/it has been backpedaling, has been backpedalling
they have been backpedalling, have been backpedaling
I had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling
we had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling
you had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling
he/she/it had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling
they had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling
I will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling
we will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling
you will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling
he/she/it will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling
they will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling
I would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled
we would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled
you would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled
he/she/it would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled
they would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled
I would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling
we would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling
you would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling
he/she/it would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling
they would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling
I would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling
we would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling
you would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling
he/she/it would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling
they would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling

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Correct spelling for backpedaling
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