To take the back track

Back Back, a. 1. Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements. [1913 Webster]

2. Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent. [1913 Webster]

3. Moving or operating backward; as, back action. [1913 Webster]

{Back blocks}, Australian pastoral country which is remote from the seacoast or from a river. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Back charges}, charges brought forward after an account has been made up.

{Back filling} (Arch.), the mass of materials used in filling up the space between two walls, or between the inner and outer faces of a wall, or upon the haunches of an arch or vault.

{Back pressure}. (Steam Engine) See under {Pressure}.

{Back rest}, a guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe, and placed in contact with the work, to steady it in turning.

{Back slang}, a kind of slang in which every word is written or pronounced backwards; as, nam for man.

{Back stairs}, stairs in the back part of a house; private stairs. Also used adjectively. See {Back stairs}, {Backstairs}, and {Backstair}, in the Vocabulary.

{Back step} (Mil.), the retrograde movement of a man or body of men, without changing front.

{Back stream}, a current running against the main current of a stream; an eddy.

{To take the back track}, to retrace one's steps; to retreat. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]