zurück|rudern
Translation
to row back, to backpedal, to backtrack
Examples
Wir müssen zum Ufer zurückrudern.
We have to row back to the shore.
Der Politiker musste bei seiner Aussage zurückrudern.
The politician had to backtrack on his statement.
Grammar Patterns
((to sth.)) to row back to sth. They rowed back to the starting point.
((on sth.)) to backtrack on sth. He quickly backtracked on his claim.
Similar Words
Synonyms: (figurative) to backtrack, to backpedal; Antonyms: to stick to, to insist on
Etymology
From 'zurück' (back) and 'rudern' (to row). Literally 'to row back'. Figuratively, it means to retreat from a statement or position.
Memory Tips
Picture a politician in a rowboat who said something controversial and is now frantically rowing backwards ('zurückrudern') to get away from their statement.