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# backsliding

noun (backsliding – uncountable); verb form (of «backslide»: backslide, backslides, backslid, backsliding)

«backsliding» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Going back to bad old habits after you had been doing better. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/#m1)
2. (church) Falling away from faith or from living as a Christian after having been committed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/#m2)

### In the lessons

In church language, a «backslider» is someone who has turned away from faith; preachers in the 1800s used the word often. In everyday life it means slipping back: after New Year's resolutions, backsliding into eating too many sweets. In The Wind in the Willows Toad promises to be good, then backslides as soon as he sees a motor car.

### Examples

- After a week of early nights, there was some backsliding at the weekend. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/#x1)
- The preacher warned the people against backsliding. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/#x2)
- Toad promised to change, but his backsliding began at once. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/#x3)
- We must stop backsliding into old bad habits. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/#x4)
- Christians believe God forgives the backsliding person who comes back. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/#x5)
- My diet lasted two days before the backsliding started. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/#x6)

### Note

Uncountable as a noun. Verb past: «backslid». A person is «a backslider».

## In Jewish tradition

In Jeremiah it means Israel turning away from God and going back to idols. God calls on the "backsliding" people to return.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads Jeremiah's call as an invitation to repent. The prophet says God is merciful and will welcome His people home if they return.

### Examples

- How long wilt thou turn away coyly, O thou backsliding daughter? (Prophets JER.31.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/backsliding/#x1)
- Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? (Prophets JER.8.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/backsliding/#x2)
- even the LORD said unto me — backsliding Israel hath proved herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. (Prophets JER.3.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/backsliding/#x3)

### Note

Uncountable as a noun. Verb past: «backslid». A person is «a backslider».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «backsliding» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backsliding/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«backsliding» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/backsliding.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «backsliding» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/backsliding/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«backsliding» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/backsliding.html) on Mova free.