2 VERB If you say that someone back-pedals , you disapprove of their behaviour because they are not doing what they promised. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] She's backpedaled twice already. □ [V + on/from ] The cabinet may backpedal on these commitments. ● back-pedalling N‑UNCOUNT □ …Britain's back-pedalling on reforms.
back|rest /bæ krest/ (backrests ) N‑COUNT The backrest of a seat or chair is the part which you rest your back on.
ba ck road (back roads ) N‑COUNT A back road is a small country road with very little traffic.
back|room /bæ krʊm/ (back rooms ) also back-room , back room
1 N‑COUNT A backroom is a room that is situated at the back of a building, especially a private room. □ …the backroom of the officers' club.
2 N‑COUNT You can use backroom to refer to people in an organization who do important work but are not seen or known about by the public. You can also use backroom to refer to a place where such people work. □ Public scrutiny had brought civil servants out from the backroom and into the spotlight. □ …Mr Smith's backroom staff.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to a deal made by someone such as a politician as a backroom deal, you disapprove of it because it has been made in a secret, dishonest way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They have been calling the Presidency decision a backroom deal.
ba ck|room boy (backroom boys ) also backroom-boy N‑COUNT You can refer to a man as a backroom boy when he does important work in an organization and has good ideas but is not seen or known about by the public. [BRIT ]
ba ck-seat dri v|er (back-seat drivers ) also backseat driver
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to a passenger in a car as a back-seat driver , they annoy you because they constantly give you advice about your driving. [DISAPPROVAL ]
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone, especially a politician, as a back-seat driver , you disapprove of them because they try to influence a situation that does not concern them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They accused the former prime minister of being a backseat driver.
back|side /bæ ksa I d/ (backsides ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your backside is the part of your body that you sit on. [INFORMAL ]
ba ck-slapping also backslapping N‑UNCOUNT Back-slapping is noisy, cheerful behaviour which people use in order to show affection or appreciation to each other. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Back-slapping is also an adjective. □ Scott breaks away from his back-slapping admirers.
back|slid|ing /bæ ksla I d I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone of backsliding , you disapprove of them because they have failed to do something they promised or agreed to do, or have started again doing something undesirable that they had previously stopped doing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the government's backsliding on free market reforms. □ This may help to maintain the gains you've made and to prevent backsliding.
ba ck-stab|bing N‑UNCOUNT Back-stabbing consists of unkind and disloyal actions or remarks that are likely to harm someone such as a friend or colleague. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She accused her colleagues of bullying and back-stabbing.
back|stage /bæ kste I dʒ/ ADV [ADV after v] In a theatre, backstage refers to the areas behind the stage. □ He went backstage and asked for her autograph. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Backstage is also an adjective. □ …a backstage pass.
ba ck street (back streets ) also back-street , backstreet
1 N‑COUNT A back street in a town or city is a small, narrow street with very little traffic. □ The small church of San Michel is tucked away in a narrow back street of Port-au-Prince. □ …backstreet garages.
2 N‑PLURAL The back streets of a town or city are the areas of small, old, poor streets rather than the richer or newer areas. □ …the back streets of Berlin.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Back street activities are carried out unofficially, secretly, and often illegally. □ …back street abortions.
back|stroke /bæ kstroʊk/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Backstroke is a swimming stroke that you do on your back.
2 N‑SING The backstroke is a swimming race in which the competitors swim backstroke. □ …the 100 metres backstroke.
ba ck-to-ba ck ADJ [usu ADJ n] Back-to-back wins or victories are victories that are gained one after another without any defeats between them. □ …their first back-to-back victories of the season.
back|track /bæ ktræk/ (backtracks , backtracking , backtracked ) also back-track
1 VERB If you backtrack on a statement or decision you have made, you do or say something that shows that you no longer agree with it or support it. □ [V ] The committee backtracked by scrapping the controversial bonus system. □ [V + on ] The finance minister backtracked on his decision. [Also V + from ] ● back|track|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ He promised there would be no backtracking on policies.
2 VERB If you backtrack , you go back along a path or route you have just used. □ [V ] Leonard jumped in his car and started backtracking. □ [V prep] We had to backtrack to the corner and cross the street.
3 VERB If you backtrack in an account or explanation, you talk about things which happened before the ones you were previously talking about. □ [V ] Can we just backtrack a little bit and look at your primary and secondary education?
back|up /bæ kʌp/ (backups ) also back-up
1 N‑VAR Backup consists of extra equipment, resources, or people that you can get help or support from if necessary. □ There is no emergency back-up immediately available. □ Alternative treatments can provide a useful back-up to conventional treatment.