Back Down

Here is what will keep pro basketball real: all the players who are not all-stars, who are not known by a single name or nickname but who believe that they are as good as those guys and who aren't going to back-down from any challenge, who are going to work all summer and before and after games because they don't understand why their picture isn't the face of their team. ❋ Larry Strauss (2011)

This government back-down is the latest indication of Mr. Morales's declining ability to mobilize public support for his economic agenda even among the poorest sectors of society, who strongly supported him in two elections. ❋ Martin Arostegui (2011)

Thursday's lightning-speed back-down from Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) -- I've independently confirmed that he was told by GOP leadership to reverse his "apology" to BP or lose his ranking member status on the House energy committee -- has not quieted down conservatives who are angry about the administration's handling of BP and don't have to face voters. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Where is your apology or back-down for having attacked Martin or Dhogaza over their attempt to educate you? ❋ EliRabett (2010)

"Wayne Swan is the architect of this tax and he has been virulently opposed to any compromise, so it would be a big back-down for him personally," said ❋ Unknown (2010)

Mr. Rudd was forced out by mutiny in his own Labor Party in a move seen by many as clearing the way for potential back-down on the controversial mining "super profits" tax. ❋ Unknown (2010)

It will be forgotten that the Dems wanted a measured back-down from war, it will be remembered that the original Republican ideal of "win, win, win" was undermined by Dem trickery, causing horrible death in Iraq and American failure ❋ Unknown (2009)

No, really, this time they mean it, although presumably they reserve the right to make a humiliating back-down by teatime. ❋ Unknown (2009)

"Katrina left us with some piles of aluminum siding, concrete back-down ramps, and the steel structure for the boat hoist," says Brechtel. ❋ Unknown (2007)

The result was the offer to Iran and a huge back-down by Condi, and a slap down of Cheney and Bolton. ❋ Unknown (2006)

Perhaps a better way for the administration to back down is to not back-down, but not start war either. ❋ Unknown (2003)

Some are now saying that the back-down amounts to a surrender. ❋ Unknown (2002)

He scrabbled up onto his good knee, and saw Etta back-down in the mud. ❋ Hobb, Robin (1999)