Basic Details
Word: Backtrack
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To go back to a previous point or a decision that was made, often to correct a mistake.
Synonyms: Retrace, revisit, regress
Antonyms: Advance, proceed, move forward
Idioms and Phrases
- Backtrack on a promise: To reverse or take back a commitment once made. Example: "She had to backtrack on her promise to attend the party when she got sick."
- Backtrack your steps: To retrace the route taken or the actions performed. Example: "When he lost his wallet, he decided to backtrack his steps to find it."
Usage Examples
Example 1: After realising he had taken the wrong bus, Tom decided to backtrack to the station.
Example 2: The teacher asked the students to backtrack their research process to ensure they could find their sources easily.
Example 3: When the team made an error, their coach suggested they backtrack and review their strategy.
Fun Fact
The term "backtrack" is often used in technology and computer programming to refer to reversing a decision made in code execution, allowing developers to find and fix errors efficiently.
Famous Quote
"Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom." Phyllis Theroux. This underscores the importance of backtracking and learning from mistakes.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "backtrack" mean?
a) Move forward
b) Go back to a previous point
c) Jump over an obstacle
d) Take a break
Answer: b) Go back to a previous point
2. Which of these is a synonym of "backtrack"?
a) Advance
b) Retrace
c) Create
d) Escape
Answer: b) Retrace
3. Which word is an antonym of "backtrack"?
a) Look back
b) Regress
c) Advance
d) Return
Answer: c) Advance
4. Which sentence uses "backtrack" correctly?
a) The students decided to backtrack their research to double-check facts.
b) He tried to backtrack by jumping over a wall.
c) She will backtrack during the marathon race.
d) The robot began to backtrack into the wall.
Answer: a) The students decided to backtrack their research to double-check facts.
5. What does it mean to "backtrack on a promise"?
a) To keep a promise
b) To forget about a promise
c) To reverse a promise
d) To make a new promise
Answer: c) To reverse a promise
