pedalear hacia atrás
/pedaleaɾ aθja atɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase backpedal is translated into Spanish as pedalear hacia atrás.
While pedalear hacia atrás is a literal translation, the idiomatic expression echarse atrás is much more common when describing someone retreating from a position or a decision.
Meaning: to distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pedalear hacia atrás literally means to pedal towards the back.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the situation, you may choose different forms: pedalear hacia atrás serves as a literal translation, echarse atrás is the standard idiomatic way to describe retreating from a stance and Retractarse is used when someone is specifically taking back something they said.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the idiomatic echarse atrás to mean backpedaling, the verb is reflexive and must be conjugated with the reflexive pronoun se in the third person. For example, to say he or she backpedaled, you would say se echó atrás.
How do you pronounce it?
/pedaleaɾ aθja atɾas/
Did you know?
- The word hacia, used in pedalear hacia atrás, comes from the Latin phrase faciem ad, which means 'facing towards'.
- In Spanish, describing a change of mind with echarse atrás often implies a lack of courage or 'cold feet', whereas retractarse is a formal, intellectual reversal.
- While echarse atrás is used to backpedal from a decision, the verb echar is one of the most versatile in Spanish and can mean anything from throwing and firing to pouring and casting.
Examples in context
- Después de reflexionar, decidió rectificar su postura inicial.After reflecting, he decided to backpedal on his initial stance.
- El político se vio obligado a retractarse después de sus controvertidas declaraciones.The politician was forced to backpedal after his controversial statements.
- Tras unas duras críticas, decidió reconsiderar su posición.After harsh criticism, he decided to reconsider his position.
- Al ver las consecuencias, se echó para atrás y cambió de opinión.Upon seeing the consequences, he backpedaled and changed his mind.
- Cuando se dio cuenta del error, decidió dar marcha atrás y rectificar.When he realized his mistake, he decided to backpedal and rectify.
- Al notar la resistencia, tiró para atrás y cambió su postura.Upon sensing resistance, he backpedaled and changed his stance.
- decidió reconsiderar y rectificarHe decided to reconsider and backpedal
Example conversation
Two colleagues discussing a manager's contradictory instructions.
- SofíaAlejandro, el jefe dijo que el proyecto se cancelaba.Alejandro, the boss said the project was being canceled.
- AlejandroSí, pero ahora parece que quiere pedalear hacia atrás.Yes, but now it seems he wants to backpedal.
- Sofía¿Por qué cambiaría de opinión tan rápido?Why would he change his mind so quickly?
- AlejandroCreo que se dio cuenta de que cometió un error.I think he realized he made a mistake.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atrás, hacia, pedalear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
