backtrack
|back/track|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈbækˌtræk/
🇬🇧
/ˈbæk.træk/
retrace steps
Etymology
Etymology Information
'backtrack' originates from the combination of 'back' and 'track', where 'back' meant 'to return' and 'track' meant 'a path or course'.
Historical Evolution
'backtrack' evolved from the literal sense of retracing one's steps to include the figurative sense of reversing a decision.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to go back over a path', but over time it evolved to include reversing decisions or statements.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to retrace one's steps or go back over a path or course.
After realizing he was lost, he decided to backtrack to the last known landmark.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41