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backflip

[/ˈbækflɪp/]
nounpl: backflips
mortal de costas
1. An acrobatic movement in which a person rotates their body backward in a complete 360-degree flip, landing on their feet
The gymnast performed an impressive backflip on the balance beam.
A ginasta realizou um mortal de costas impressionante na trave de equilíbrio.
2. A sudden reversal of position, opinion, or decision
The politician's backflip on the climate issue surprised many voters.
A mudança radical de posição do político sobre a questão climática surpreendeu muitos eleitores.
Synonyms
somersault backwardback tuckreverse flip
Antonyms
frontflipforward flip

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
mortal de costas
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
mortal para trás
Alternative regional expression
Portugal
salto mortal de costas
More formal/traditional Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

do a backflip (figuratively: to reverse one's position suddenly)
pull a backflip (to make a sudden and unexpected change)
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