Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

climb down

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.21 in modern English

Syllables: climb -down
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An abandonment, withdrawal from, or softening of a previously expressed opinion, policy, argument, etc.

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see climb, down.

verb

To abandon, withdraw from, or soften a previously expressed opinion, argument, etc.

Example Sentences

"It is interesting to speculate on what combination of factors acted within the Bush administration to bring about the climb-down from its previous position."
"His climb-down from the "hard, secular" image was mainly to widen his support base."
"Hours before his climb down, the premier's own cabinet ministers had vigorously defended the curriculum."
"It took 2 hours to climb up, but 4 to climb down as our energy grew less and less."
"But Ekeus said Iraq had climbed down in its confrontation with the UN."
"No, but it may be a way for Clinton to climb down from a policy he seems increasingly to view as a no-win proposition."

Inflected Forms

climb downs (plural) climb-down (alternative) climbs down (present, singular) climbing down (participle, present) climbed down (participle, past) climbed down (past)

Synonyms

backpedal alight

Questions

What does climb down mean?: An abandonment, withdrawal from, or softening of a previously expressed opinion, policy, argument, etc.

How to pronounce climb down

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