Swedish has a phrase, coined in 2002 when a politician (Jan O. Karlsson) was rude to a journalist after a question about receiving double pension. He had to ‘do a poodle’ the next day, where he admitted blame and apologised. It was called a poodle because the behaviour is like a dog that knows it has done something wrong and it lays flat and submissive.
In English it would possibly be to eat crow/humble pie.
In looking up the English equivalent, I discovered the Reverse Ferret, which I love! It is not quite the same but I love the idea of the editor bursting out of his office yelling ‘reverse ferret!’
In this article, the Financial Times talks about contra mustela for economic u-turns.
What a pity we’re not allowed to do that to politicians for real…
I never heard “reverse ferret” before but love the image!