walk back the cat

English

Verb

walk back the cat

  1. (intelligence) To retrace events so as to determine where an operation went wrong and who was responsible.
    • 2007, Ward Just, Forgetfulness (page 110)
      Bernhard had been called back to headquarters for a conference, a general review of current operations with special attention to methods and sources, connecting dots while they walked back the cat, a dispirited and dispiriting exercise.
  2. (diplomacy) To back down; to adopt a position where one is more willing to compromise.
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