walk back
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To withdraw or backpedal on a statement or promise.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Did Obama walk back his support of Cordoba House? As you know, the Internets are alive with the claim that Obama has now walked back his support of Cordoba House, and I've gotten tons of emails telling me that my earlier praise of the speech is no longer operative. But did he really walk back what h
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see walk, back.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “walk back” mean?
To withdraw or backpedal on a statement or promise.
Is “walk back” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.