backtrack

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   The act of backtracking.

2. 2

   To retrace one's steps.

   • I dropped my sunglasses and had to backtrack to find them.
3. 3

   To repeat or review work already done.

   • If we backtrack through this problem, maybe we can figure out where we went wrong.
4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To taxi down an active runway in the opposite direction to that being used for takeoff.

      • Speedbird One: enter and backtrack Runway 27 Left.
   2. 5

      To exercise a racehorse around the racetrack in the opposite direction to that in which…

      To exercise a racehorse around the racetrack in the opposite direction to that in which races are run.

   3. 6

      To go back on or withdraw a statement.

      • Woodward’s mild rebuke of Tatis received backlash from most players who spoke out, and even Woodward backtracked and reexplained himself the next day.
      • “You saw the disaster that followed when Trump spoke out against the Florida [amendment],” said Trish Crouse, a political science professor at the University of New Haven. “He found himself having to backtrack and reexplain himself.”

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