1. 这是个什么词?
词:backpedal
英英释义:to change your opinion or not do something that you had promised to do
例句:The product manager quickly backpedaled when asked to explain his proposal in detail.
2. 为什么选这个词?
“backpedal”是个非常形象的动词,本意是“倒踩自行车的脚蹬”,常常引申表示“撤回”。它后面一般搭配介词 on, 介词后接表示某个观点、计划、建议、决定、承诺、条款等的词,是用在写作中让读者眼前一亮的好词。
一些美国政客的竞选立场摇摆不定。比如有些人为了迎合大众支持实施减税政策,过了一段时间又决定撤销,这时就可以说:
US politicians are backpedaling on the commitment to cut taxes.
这里 backpedal on 接的是“承诺”(commitment)。
再来看一个接决定(decision)的例句:
Under huge pressure from the public, local authorities backpedaled on their decision to open a chemical factory.
backpedal 在有的语境中还相当于“收回某人的话/take one's words back”,比如:
The product manager quickly backpedaled when asked to explain his proposal in detail.
backpedal 还有一个常见的同义词 backtrack,意义和用法都很相似,很多时候都可以互相替换。《经济学人》在 2016 年一篇报道总统竞选的文章中就用到了 backtrack:
“I didn’t mean to attack people in New York. I love New York.” Ted Cruz, campaigning in New York, backtracks from his sneering comments about “New York values”.
3. 怎样学会使用这个词?
1)翻译下面的句子:
在意大利时装品牌 Dolce & Gabbana 发布自己饱受争议的粗俗广告后,很多中国艺人决定不再和它合作。
After theItalian fashion band Dolce & Gabbana launched its highly controversial advertisement, many Chinese actors decided to backpadel on their cooperation with it.
造句
People can backpadel on their comments in social software Wechat
【每日一词92】
(参考翻译:Afte Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana published a highly controversial and offensive advertisement, many Chinese actors started to backpedal on their partnership with it.)