reculer

reculer [ʀəkyle] vi → to move back, back away;

(Auto) → to reverse, back (up) (fig) [civilisation, épidémie] → to (be on the) decline: (= se dérober); to shrink back

vt → to move back; to reverse, back (up) (fig) [+ possibilités, limites]; to extend: [+ date, décision]; to postpone;

reculer devant [+ danger, difficulté] → to shrink from;

reculer pour mieux sauter (fig) → to postpone the evil day