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back water

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back water

To reverse direction suddenly, as on an opinion or stance on some subject. Refers to nautical terminology in which the oars of a ship or boat are reversed in the water so as to halt or change the course of the vessel. With public pressure mounting, the government is expected to back water on the new legislation.

See also: back, water

back water

Reverse a position, take back a statement, or otherwise retreat, as in We're sure that the senator will back water on raising taxes. This term literally refers to a vessel that moves backward in the water because its oars, paddles, or paddlewheel are reversed. It soon was transferred to other kinds of reversal. [Second half of 1700s]

See also: back, water