What's the expression when someone has taken an extreme position and for reasons of ego finds it difficult to soften his position? Something along the lines of "coming down from the tree," maybe?
As in: I initially accepted a full settlement freeze, but eventually changed my mind. However, for diplomatic reasons, I found it difficult to…(come down from the tree?)"
Learn English – “climb down from a tree” or “come down from a tree”
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Related Solutions
Online Etymology Dictionary says:
ta: 1772, "natural infantile sound of gratitude" [Weekley].
Although possibly originating from the imitative of baby talk, this is in widespread use in the North of England and Wales as an informal "thanks" amongst adults.
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language says:
ta: Chiefly British
Used to express thanks.
ETYMOLOGY:
Baby-talk alteration of "thank you".
I watch a lot of westerns about cowboys in the old west (US). It seems to me that there are many references to saving hides (of cattle, also heads of cattle, another way to refer to the number of animals) and conjecture that it's possible that the expression "save my ass" started out as "save my hide". This is the NGram chart that shows the usage overlap:
According to this chart, "save my ass" started to gain in popularity when usage of "save my hide" began to wane.
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Best Answer
Climb down is a phrase used where you have suggested "come down from the tree".