back down#2
フランスでテロを起こした容疑で逮捕されたSalah Abdeslam容疑者が,自爆テロを行ったことを認めました。当初は自身も自爆するつもりだったが,考えを変えて事件を起こした後,逃亡したようです。
記事の中で気になった表現は"back down"です。『Wisdom英和辞典第三版』（三省堂）によると「降参する,《主張･要求･約束などを》（強い反対に遭って）取り消す[下げる]」などという意味がありました。Oxford Dictionaries.comには"Withdraw a claim or assertion in the face of opposition"と定義されております。今回の記事では"back"が動詞として使われましたが,"sit back down heavily"のように「ドサッと腰を下ろす」という表現もある（英辞郎http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=sit+back）ため,注意が必要だと思いました。（Ume）
Paris attacks: Salah Abdeslam 'changed suicide bomb plan'
The so-called Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the bombings and shootings.
Abdeslam is charged with participation in terrorist murder and the activities of a terrorist group, Belgium's federal prosecutor's office says.
Paris prosecutor Francois Molins told a news conference: "Salah Abdeslam today during questioning by [Belgian] investigators affirmed that, and I quote, 'he wanted to blow himself up at the Stade de France and that he had backed down'."
Abdeslam's assertions should be treated with caution, he added.
The 26-year-old French national, born in Belgium, is in custody following his arrest in Brussels on Friday after four months on the run.
Investigators hope Abdeslam, who was shot in the leg during his arrest, will reveal more information about the IS network behind the Paris attacks, its financing and plans.
