To retreat from one’s position.
1802. I was not hunting for place, pension, or establishment, or if I was, I must have been taking the course which hunters would call the back track.—The Balance (Hudson, N.Y.), April 6, p. 106/2.
1829. The dogs, although on a back track of the animal, were fortunately in hearing in time.—Mass. Spy, Jan. 14.
1837. Surely, sir, the present incumbent is not about to falsify his promise to “follow generally in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor;” or does he mean to follow them as my young friend from Tennessee [Mr. J. W. Crockett] felicitously expresses it, “by taking the back tracks?”—Mr. Wise of Virginia, in the House of Representatives, Oct. 13: Cong. Globe, p. 322, App.
1841. Mr. Jenifer made some observations in relation of certain gentlemen taking “the back track.”—The same, Feb. 15: id., p. 178.
1841. “See who will take the back track, like boys from a hornet’s nest.”—Mr. Wise of Va., quoted by Mr. Stanly of North Carolina, the same, Feb. 18: id., p. 362, App.
1847. When the President vetoed the bill [Mr. Wick] took the back track.—Mr. Wentworth of Ill., the same, Feb. 2: id., p. 313.
1855. If you’ll take my counsel you’ll take the back track as soon as these rascals shall come on.—W. G. Simms, ‘The Forayers,’ p. 186 (N.Y.).
1857. He has … a very praiseworthy aversion to taking the back track.—Knickerbocker Mag., l. 581 (Dec.).
1857. The first law of preservation has admonished Mr. Douglas that he has gone as far in his slavery concessions to the South as he can possibly go, and that if he would save himself at home he must take the back track.—N.Y. Herald, Dec. 26 (Bartlett).
