back-pedalling, vbl. n.
[back adv. 5.]
1. Cycling. The action of pressing down upon the pedal as it rises, in order to check the movement of the wheel. Also attrib. Hence (as a back-formation) back-pedal v. intr. and trans.; also as n. attrib.
| 1887 Albermarle & Hillier Cycling 377 This form of clutch..does not admit of back-pedalling. 1890 Ibid. (ed. 3) 373 A break should always be used—it is absurd to do hard work back pedalling down-hill. 1897 Encycl. Sport I. 268/1 Do not back-pedal too suddenly, or you may break your chain. 1898 J. Pennell in Fortn. Rev. Jan. 60 The machine can be back-pedalled. Ibid. 63 An endless number of back-pedalling brakes have been brought out during the last year. 1940 Auden Another Time 73 She'd a bicycle with..a harsh back-pedal brake. |
2. fig. The checking of a forward movement, the reversing of an action.
| 1901 ‘H. McHugh’ John Henry 11 You back-pedal so hard that you grab for your hat. 1927 W. E. Collinson Contemp. Eng. 32 Note here the slang use of back pedal!, vulgò also come off it, hold hard. 1950 J. Dempsey Champ. Fighting xviii. 116 They sprout bad punching habits while concentrating on blocking, parrying, back-pedalling and the like. 1955 M. Gilbert Sky High viii. 109 It's not quite fair to ask me if I'm happy about his handling of the case... I've got a feeling..that he's going to back-pedal on it. 1958 Oxf. Mag. 29 May 466/1 Is there not a trace of cold feet in this bit of back-pedalling about Keble? |