Dictionary

backslide en · NOUN

Etymology

From back + slide.

Meanings

1. A backward regression; a reverting back to a worse state.
2. A dance move in which the feet are alternately slid back and the heels lifted, giving the illusion of walking forwards while actually moving backwards.

Forms

Synonyms

moonwalk

backslide en · VERB

Etymology

From back + slide.

Meanings

1. (intransitive) To regress; to slip backwards or revert to a previous, worse state.
   • Despite backsliding in various parts of the globe, there's a very clear trend towards the decentralisation of governments. 1997, J. J. King, quoting Kevin Kelly, “The Right Connections: Tea with Kevin Kelly”, in Mute, volume 1, number 8, →ISSN:
   • […] Monna Brigida, who had backslided into false hair in Romola's absence, but now drew it off again and declared she would not mind being gray, if her dear child would stay with her. 1893, George Eliot, “Meeting Again”, in Romola, volume III, page 233:
   • He felt better for a little while, before his condition started to backslide.
2. (transitive) To shirk responsibility; to renege on one's obligations or commitments.
   • Rich countries are backsliding on their commitment to agree to new WTO measures to help people in poor countries gain access to affordable medicines. 2002 June 24, “Rich countries backsliding on WTO commitments on drug patent rules says Oxfam International”, in Oxfam America, archived from the original on 12 Jun 2007:
3. To revert back into a life of sin after being saved.

Forms

Deriveds

backsliding · backslider

Synonyms

retrograde

Translations (24)

fr renier (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · es retractarse (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · cmn 開倒車 /开倒车 (to revert to a previous, worse state) · it regredire (to revert to a previous, worse state) · es renegar (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · bg регресирам (to revert to a previous, worse state) · pt apostatar (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · de rückläufig werden (to revert to a previous, worse state) · fr régresser (to revert to a previous, worse state) · pt regredir (to revert to a previous, worse state) · fr se dédire (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · pt renegar (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · pt retractar-se (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · it apostatare (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · it ritrattare (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · pt retroceder (to revert to a previous, worse state) · fr revenir sur sa parole (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · fi taantua (to revert to a previous, worse state) · it smentire (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · es apostatar (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · pt decair (to revert to a previous, worse state) · pt regressar (to revert to a previous, worse state) · fi laistaa (to renege on one's obligations or commitments) · it rinnegare (to renege on one's obligations or commitments)