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retromarcia

reverse gear

noun reh-troh-MAR-chah Rare
Travel & Places Transportation

Usage Note

Retromarcia is specifically the reverse gear of a vehicle: fare retromarcia means to reverse (a car). Figuratively it means to backtrack on a decision or position: il governo ha fatto retromarcia sulla riforma (the government reversed course on the reform). It is invariable in the plural: le retromarce is rarely used; the invariable form retromarcia covers both.

Examples

"Inserisci la retromarcia per uscire dal parcheggio."

Natural Translation

Engage reverse gear to exit the car park.

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