1. to return by the same route that one has just traveled
2. to reverse a position or policy; to retreat from a previous statement or decision

Examples

• We got lost and had to backtrack to find the correct trail.
• The hikers backtracked when they realized they had taken the wrong path.
• The politician was forced to backtrack on his controversial statement.
• After seeing the negative reaction, the company backtracked on its new policy.
• She backtracked through the forest to retrieve her dropped phone.
• The CEO backtracked from his earlier promise to cut jobs.