backtracking off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backtracking off" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where someone is retracting or reconsidering a previous statement or decision, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "After further consideration, I find myself backtracking off my earlier position on the issue."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, Rex is backtracking off that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. O'Neill continued to backtrack from off-the-cuff comments he made a week ago in which he suggested that financial assistance to emerging-markets countries carries the risk that funds would be diverted by corrupt officials.

The New York Times

Ms. Garrelts said that in addition to restricting how often she gives out her e-mail address, she spends a lot of time "trying to backtrack and get off lists" in the hope of preventing spammers from getting her address.

The New York Times - Tech

The decision to backtrack on unpopular proposals to sell off forests earlier this year turned out to be practice for a bigger climbdown: plans to remake the National Health Service (NHS) are in danger of crumbling.

The Economist

"Anonymous have threatened to take down Facebook and release Zynga's games for free download on 5 November if the latter does not backtrack on alleged plans to lay off 1,000 employees and outsource work," reports Liat Clark in Wired.

Independent

But let's backtrack, shake off the sadness and revisit the life that led to that witty riposte to tradition.

The Guardian - Books

Now Charter is backtracking: the trial has been put off, and "privacy concerns" are being cited.

The Guardian - Tech

A political gaffe normally results in a few days of being taken off-message, defending or backtracking from one's comments.

Huffington Post

From the pre-translocated state, the polymerase can also enter the off-pathway pausing phase by backtracking.

eLife

The elongation phase of transcription involves some off-pathway states such as pausing, backtracking, and arrest.

Chemical Reviews

With "The Elephant to Hollywood," Caine doesn't just pick up where he left off, he backtracks to the very beginning, revisiting and condensing much of the material found in the earlier book.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "backtracking off", ensure the context clearly indicates a retraction from a previous statement or position. Because it's not standard, clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "backtracking off" when a more common phrase like "retracting" or "reversing course" would be clearer and more readily understood by your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "backtracking off" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of retracting or retreating from a previously held position or statement. As Ludwig suggests, this usage is not standard, which may cause confusion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "backtracking off" signifies retracting or moving away from a previous stance. However, according to Ludwig AI analysis, it's not a standard English phrase, potentially causing confusion. While it appears mainly in news contexts and occasionally in science, clearer alternatives like "retracting" or "reversing course" are often preferable. Using it sparingly and ensuring clarity in your context is advised. Given its rarity, consider whether a more common expression would better serve your communicative purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

backing down

Implies a retreat, often under pressure.

retracting statements

Focuses on the act of taking back something that was said.

withdrawing from a position

Emphasizes the act of stepping away from a stance.

reversing course

Suggests a change in direction or strategy.

stepping away from

Suggests distancing oneself from a previous involvement.

reneging on a commitment

Highlights the breaking of a promise.

retreating from a claim

Highlights the abandonment of a previously asserted claim.

taking back an offer

Specific to retracting an offer or proposal.

recanting a belief

Focuses on abandoning a previously held belief.

changing one's mind

A general phrase for altering a decision or opinion.

FAQs

What does "backtracking off" mean?

The phrase "backtracking off" means to retract or move away from a previous statement, position, or commitment. It suggests a change of mind or a retreat from something previously asserted.

What can I say instead of "backtracking off"?

You can use alternatives like "retracting", "withdrawing from", or "reversing course" depending on the context.

Is "backtracking off" grammatically correct?

While not technically incorrect, "backtracking off" is not a standard or widely recognized phrase. It is better to use more common and grammatically accepted alternatives.

How can I use "backtracking off" in a sentence?

You can use "backtracking off" in a sentence like, "After the negative feedback, the company is now backtracking off its initial marketing strategy."