Example: Il a dû faire machine arrière face aux critiques sévères.
Definition
"Faire machine arrière" means to reverse a decision or action, often in response to pressure or new information. It implies stepping back from a previously taken position, as in the example phrase where someone had to retract their stance due to severe criticism.
Translations
To backtrack
Dar marcha atrás
Terugkrabbelen
Fer marxa enrere
Einen Rückzieher machen
Etymology
The expression "faire machine arrière" literally translates to 'make the machine go backward.' It originates from the idea of reversing a vehicle or machine to move backward. Over time, it became a metaphor for backing down or reversing a decision. Did you know? This phrase reflects how mechanical terms often inspire figurative language in French.
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"Faire machine arrière" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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To backtrack