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voltou atrás

[vɔw'tow a'traz]
verb phrase
backed down, went back on one's word, backtracked
1. To reverse a previous decision, statement, or commitment; to renege on a promise or agreement
He promised to help but then backed down when things got difficult.
Ele prometeu ajudar, mas voltou atrás quando as coisas ficaram difíceis.
2. To physically return to a previous location
We had gone too far, so we turned around and went back.
Tínhamos ido longe demais, então voltamos atrás.
3. To retract a statement or opinion previously expressed
The politician backed down from his earlier controversial remarks.
O político voltou atrás de suas declarações polêmicas anteriores.
NYC Slang
backed out, chickened out, flip-flopped
Synonyms
recuoudesistiuarrependeu-senegou-seretratou-secedeu
Antonyms
manteve a palavrapersistiuavançouconfirmouinsistiu

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
voltou atrás
Standard usage across Brazil
Portugal
voltou atrás
Standard usage in Portugal
General Brazilian
recuou
Common alternative in formal contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

dar um jeito atrás
fazer meia-volta
mudar de ideia
não cumprir a palavra
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