Backtrack
verb
To return to an earlier point or situation, often because of problems or issues.
When the negotiations failed, they had to backtrack and start from the beginning.
Often appears as...
- backtrack on a decision
- backtrack to the start
verb
To go back over the same route you have come.
The hikers had to backtrack when they realized they were lost.
Often appears as...
- backtrack through the woods
- backtrack down the road
verb
To return to an earlier point or situation, often because of problems or issues.
When the negotiations failed, they had to backtrack and start from the beginning.
Often appears as...
- backtrack on a decision
- backtrack to the start
verb
To go back over the same route you have come.
The hikers had to backtrack when they realized they were lost.
Often appears as...
- backtrack through the woods
- backtrack down the road
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Revised Decisions
Used when someone changes their mind or reverses a previous choice due to an issue.
After reviewing the feedback, the manager decided to backtrack on the new policy.
Pro Tip 2/3Admission of Error
Implies acknowledging a mistake and reverting to an earlier stance or action.
The politician had to backtrack after the public outcry over his comments.
Pro Tip 3/3Restarting Process
Suggests starting over again to correct a problem or because the current approach is not working.
The software update caused issues, so we need to backtrack and reinstall the previous version.
Pro Tip 1/3Revised Decisions
Used when someone changes their mind or reverses a previous choice due to an issue.
After reviewing the feedback, the manager decided to backtrack on the new policy.
Pro Tip 2/3Admission of Error
Implies acknowledging a mistake and reverting to an earlier stance or action.
The politician had to backtrack after the public outcry over his comments.
Pro Tip 3/3Restarting Process
Suggests starting over again to correct a problem or because the current approach is not working.
The software update caused issues, so we need to backtrack and reinstall the previous version.
Pro Tip 1/3Revised Decisions
Used when someone changes their mind or reverses a previous choice due to an issue.
After reviewing the feedback, the manager decided to backtrack on the new policy.
Pro Tip 2/3Admission of Error
Implies acknowledging a mistake and reverting to an earlier stance or action.
The politician had to backtrack after the public outcry over his comments.
Pro Tip 3/3Restarting Process
Suggests starting over again to correct a problem or because the current approach is not working.
The software update caused issues, so we need to backtrack and reinstall the previous version.
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Video examples
The World Machine PIPE...
or an intersection. But what happens at either of those places? If someone encounters a dead end, they should backtrack to the last intersection. But they also need to mark it, so no one wastes time and goes back there.
Video examples
David Deutsch: A new way...
So, I'll tell you. But I'll have to backtrack a little first. Before the scientific revolution, they believed that everything important, knowable, was already known,
Video examples
Climbing Asia’s...
This mountain is full of surprises. We have followed yet another dead end. So, we have to backtrack an hour
Video examples
The World Machine PIPE...
or an intersection. But what happens at either of those places? If someone encounters a dead end, they should backtrack to the last intersection. But they also need to mark it, so no one wastes time and goes back there.
Video examples
David Deutsch: A new way...
So, I'll tell you. But I'll have to backtrack a little first. Before the scientific revolution, they believed that everything important, knowable, was already known,
Video examples
Climbing Asia’s...
This mountain is full of surprises. We have followed yet another dead end. So, we have to backtrack an hour
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Marc Gasol
Spanish Basketball Player
I'm somebody that sets goals, enjoys the preparation and the planning to achieve those goals, and then really enjoys going through that plan really disciplined and achieving those goals... I enjoy the whole process. If you fail, you can backtrack and see, 'OK, that didn't go well, let's try something else and let's go that other route.
Quote examples
Karen Finerman
American Businesswoman
When you multitask, you believe you're being exceptionally productive, but really, you're fooling yourself. Each time you switch tasks, you have to backtrack a little and remind yourself where you are in the process and what's next. Invariably. you are spending twice as much time on parts of the task.
Quote examples
Corey Taylor
American Musician
I do definitely believe that there is life away from this planet. I mean, we've kind of established that with the fact that we found bacteria on meteorites, and we've kind of used that to backtrack and show how this Earth, this planet, could have formed the ability to sustain life in the first place.
Quote examples
Chris Claremont
British Writer
The cool thing about comic books and prose is that if a reader gets confused on page 8, they can backtrack. With films, you sit down in a seat and once the projector starts going you're stuck for the next two hours. There are no do-overs, rewinding or starting again.
Quote examples
Lance Morrow
American Writer
Never forget the power of silence, that massively disconcerting pause which goes on and on and may at last induce an opponent to babble and backtrack nervously.
Quote examples
Jessie Reyez
Canadian Musician
I think life would be a lot easier if people were able to stand in their mistakes and not backtrack. If you did something wrong, own it. Like, hold your own.
Quote examples
Will Oldham
American Musician
It's nice to be able to backtrack and not be embarrassed by the music you used to listen to.
Quote examples
Marc Gasol
Spanish Basketball Player
I'm somebody that sets goals, enjoys the preparation and the planning to achieve those goals, and then really enjoys going through that plan really disciplined and achieving those goals... I enjoy the whole process. If you fail, you can backtrack and see, 'OK, that didn't go well, let's try something else and let's go that other route.
Quote examples
Karen Finerman
American Businesswoman
When you multitask, you believe you're being exceptionally productive, but really, you're fooling yourself. Each time you switch tasks, you have to backtrack a little and remind yourself where you are in the process and what's next. Invariably. you are spending twice as much time on parts of the task.
Quote examples
Corey Taylor
American Musician
I do definitely believe that there is life away from this planet. I mean, we've kind of established that with the fact that we found bacteria on meteorites, and we've kind of used that to backtrack and show how this Earth, this planet, could have formed the ability to sustain life in the first place.
Quote examples
Chris Claremont
British Writer
The cool thing about comic books and prose is that if a reader gets confused on page 8, they can backtrack. With films, you sit down in a seat and once the projector starts going you're stuck for the next two hours. There are no do-overs, rewinding or starting again.
Quote examples
Lance Morrow
American Writer
Never forget the power of silence, that massively disconcerting pause which goes on and on and may at last induce an opponent to babble and backtrack nervously.
Quote examples
Jessie Reyez
Canadian Musician
I think life would be a lot easier if people were able to stand in their mistakes and not backtrack. If you did something wrong, own it. Like, hold your own.
Quote examples
Will Oldham
American Musician
It's nice to be able to backtrack and not be embarrassed by the music you used to listen to.
Example 1 of 7
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