1
backtrack
单独作不及物动词，表示沿原路返回。
We went the wrong way and had to backtrack.
我们走错了路，只好原路返回。
原路返回；折返
backtracks — third person singular of backtrack
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
原路返回；折返
retrace one's course
We went the wrong way and had to backtrack.
我们走错了路，只好原路返回。
沿原路返回。
To retrace one's steps.
重复或复查已完成的工作。
To repeat or review work already done.
沿正在使用的起飞跑道相反方向滑行。
To taxi down an active runway in the opposite direction to that being used for takeoff.
在赛马场上沿比赛方向相反的方向遛马。
To exercise a racehorse around the racetrack in the opposite direction to that in which races are run.
backtrack
Base
原形
backtracks
3rd person
第三人称单数
backtracking
-ing
现在分词
backtracked
Past
过去式
backtracked
Past participle
过去分词
Sometimes we have to backtrack to find the right path.
有时我们不得不原路返回才能找到正确的路。
They backtracked after seeing the blocked road.
看到道路被堵后，他们原路返回了。
The hikers are backtracking along the trail.
这些徒步旅行者正沿着小路原路返回。
表示“原路返回”或“改变立场”，常与过去式、进行时连用。
We had to backtrack to the fork because the bridge ahead was washed out.
因为前面的桥被冲毁，我们不得不原路返回岔路口。
He backtracked through the narrow corridor to pick up the keys he had dropped.
他沿原路穿过狭窄的走廊，去捡他掉落的钥匙。
They were backtracking along the beach path to find the lost phone.
他们正沿着海滩小路折返，寻找丢失的手机。
单独作不及物动词，表示沿原路返回。
We went the wrong way and had to backtrack.
我们走错了路，只好原路返回。
可用于讨论中回到先前的话题或思路。
Let's backtrack to the point you mentioned earlier.
我们回到你刚才提到的那个点上吧。
表示改变立场、食言，常用介词 on。
He backtracked on his decision to resign.
他收回了辞职的决定。
Not this
He backtracked his decision after hearing the new evidence.
Use this
He backtracked on his decision after hearing the new evidence.
backtrack 表示“放弃、收回”时是不及物动词，不能直接接 decision 作宾语；要表达“在某个决定/承诺上反悔、退让”，习惯用 backtrack on sth。改成 on his decision 后，介词 on 引出了反悔的对象，句子才正确。
Not this
She backtracked her steps to look for the ring.
Use this
She backtracked to look for the ring.
backtrack 本身已经是“顺原路返回”的意思，是不及物动词，不能再接 her steps 作宾语；要想说明路线，可加 along the path 或 to the store 等介词短语，而不是把 steps 直接放在动词后。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
违背承诺；反悔
The mayor backtracked on his promise to cut taxes.
市长违背了减税的承诺。
收回言论；改口
She quickly backtracked from her earlier statement.
她很快收回先前的言论。
原路返回；循原路折返
We backtracked over our steps to find the lost key.
我们原路返回去寻找丢失的钥匙。
回到先前的要点
Let me backtrack to an earlier point in the argument.
让我回到论证中先前的一点。
原路穿过树林
We had to backtrack through the woods after missing the trail marker.
错过路标后，我们只能原路穿过树林。
违背承诺；食言
The government has backtracked on its promise to lower taxes.
政府违背了降低税收的承诺。
改变决定；退缩
He backtracked from his earlier decision to resign.
他改变了自己先前辞职的决定。
背弃协议
The company backtracked on the agreement after the merger.
合并后，这家公司背弃了协议。
Use backtracks naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
记法：想象地上留有一条足迹（track），你沿它退着走回去（back），即 backtrack 原路折返。
语域：neutral 常见场景：行走、旅行等沿路返回、讨论、谈判等撤回或改变立场 backtrack 通常表示沿原路返回，也多用于抽象义，表示改变立场或撤回说法。口语和书面语都较常见，属于中性表达。
Back, track, crack, black, pack, and lack all share the /æk/ vowel sound found in backtrack. None rhymes with the whole two-syllable word, which would need the ending /æktræk/. Watch out for lookalikes like 'bake' or 'take'—they are spelled similarly but have a different vowel sound (/eɪ/).
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.