01.23【每日一词】backpedal

backpedal v.

释义：to change your opinion or not do something that you had promised to do

“backpedal”是个动词，本意是“倒踩自行车的脚蹬”，常引申表示“撤回”。它后面一般搭配介词 on, 介词后接表示某个观点、计划、建议、决定、承诺、条款等的词，是用在写作中让读者眼前一亮的好词。

例① 一些美国政客的竞选立场摇摆不定。比如有些人为了迎合大众支持实施减税政策，过了一段时间又决定撤销

US politicians are backpedaling on the commitment to cut taxes.

这里 backpedal on 接的是“承诺”（commitment）。

例② 再来看一个接决定（decision）的例句：

Under huge pressure from the public, local authorities backpedaled on their decision to open a chemical factory.

backpedal 在有的语境中还相当于“收回某人的话/take one's words back”

例③ The product manager quickly backpedaled when asked to explain his proposal in detail.

backpedal 还有一个常见的同义词 backtrack，意义和用法都很相似，很多时候都可以互相替换。《经济学人》在 2016 年一篇报道总统竞选的文章中就用到了 backtrack：

“I didn’t mean to attack people in New York. I love New York.” Ted Cruz, campaigning in New York, backtracks from his sneering comments about “New York values”.

翻译：在意大利时装品牌 Dolce & Gabbana 发布自己饱受争议的粗俗广告后，很多中国艺人决定不再和它合作。

After the Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana launched a controversial and vulgar advertisement, many Chinese actors backpedaled on their cooperation with it.

（参考翻译：After Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana published a highly controversial and offensive advertisement, many Chinese actors started to backpedal on their partnership with it.)