climb down meaning: definition, quotations

climb down

noun

Idiomatic An abandonment, withdrawal from, or softening of a previously expressed opinion, policy, argument, etc.

Sometimes hyphenated

It is interesting to speculate on what combination of factors acted within the Bush administration to bring about the climb-down from its previous position.2003 August 7, “Hope for Korea”, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 30 Jun 2011, page A20:
His climb-down from the "hard, secular" image was mainly to widen his support base.2003 September 27, “Mulyam shows his ‘secular’ face again, hits out at BJP”, in India Times, retrieved 30 Jun 2011:

1 more example

Hours before his climb down, the premier's own cabinet ministers had vigorously defended the curriculum.2010 April 24, “Editorial: Dalton McGuinty schooled on sex ed”, in Toronto Sun, Canada, retrieved 30 Jun 2011:

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see climb, down.

It took 2 hours to climb up, but 4 to climb down as our energy grew less and less.

Idiomatic, Sometimes, Followed by from To abandon, withdraw from, or soften a previously expressed opinion, argument, etc.

But Ekeus said Iraq had climbed down in its confrontation with the UN.1992 July 27, Paul Lewis, “Inspectors begin search in Baghdad”, in The Day, Connecticut, USA, retrieved 30 Jun 2011, page A5:
No, but it may be a way for Clinton to climb down from a policy he seems increasingly to view as a no-win proposition.1993 May 24, Michael Kramer, “The Political Interest: Drawing a Line in the Quicksand”, in Time:

1 more example

If they are interested in climbing down from their oppositionism, Democrats ought to consult the Progressive Policy Institute, which has been critical of Bush, but which is developing a balanced, positive approach to the energy crisis.2001 June 7, Morton Kondracke, “Quit arguing and develop policy to end energy woes”, in Reading Eagle, USA, retrieved 30 Jun 2011, page B9: