climb-down
Americannoun
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a retreat, as from an indefensible opinion or position.
verb
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to descend
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(often foll by from) to retreat (from an opinion, position, etc)
noun
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a retreat from an opinion, etc
Etymology
Origin of climb-down
First recorded in 1885–90; noun use of verb phrase climb down
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What he didn’t mention, though, was that China’s retaliation against the U.S. with triple-digit tariffs eventually led Washington to a climb-down as markets revolted.
From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026
Privately, though, they said that was exactly the reason for the climb-down, and Trump himself conceded that markets were getting a little too “yippy” for his taste.
From Slate • Apr. 12, 2025
The diaries were found to be fake following inspection of their content and the paper and ink used, prompting an embarrassing climb-down one week after Stern's bombastic announcement of their discovery.
From Reuters • Apr. 24, 2023
But Friday’s climb-down underscored the stakes of the upcoming 2022 election in Uttar Pradesh, experts say.
From Washington Post • Nov. 19, 2021
He could not draw back now—it would be too much of a climb-down; and it would never do for him, the football captain, to show the white feather.
From Gunpowder Treason and Plot And Other Stories for Boys by Avery, Harold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.