RETRACT, RETRACTION
NOUNS
1382 — AGAIN-DRAWING drawing back, retraction → obs.
1641 — ABRENUNCIATION renunciation; retraction, repudiation
VERBS
1535 — GAINCALL to revoke, to retract, to withdraw → obs.
1589 — PULL IN ONE’S HORNS to moderate or retract one’s behaviour → sl.
.M19 — EAT DIRT — EAT DIRT PIE to retract a previous statement, usually incurring humiliation and embarrassment by so doing → sl.
.M19 — EAT DUST to retract a previous statement, usually incurring humiliation and embarrassment by so doing → sl.
1853 — TAKE WATER to retreat, to back down, to take refuge; to retract a statement → Amer. dial.
1898 — SCALE — SKALE to retract one’s word; to draw back → Sc.
1913 — SKIN BACK to retract, as a false charge → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
1913 — TAKE YOUR BACK TRACKS to recant, to retract, to acknowledge error → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
Lexicophilia 