English Phrase of the Day

back up

Definitions

English > English
back up
1. v. (idiomatic, intransitive) To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so.
That beeping sound indicates that the truck is backing up.
2. v. (idiomatic, transitive) To move a vehicle backwards.
Back up the car a little, you're blocking the driveway.
3. v. (idiomatic, intransitive) To undo one's actions.
I couldn't see how to finish the project, so I backed up and tried it another way.
4. v. (idiomatic, intransitive) To reconsider one's thoughts.
This isn't working. Let's back up and think about it.
5. v. (idiomatic, computing, transitive) To copy (data) so that it can be restored if the main copy is lost.
Back up your documents folder before applying the update.
6. v. (idiomatic, transitive) To provide support or the promise of support to.
You should be careful. This guy is backed up by the local gang.
When he said I wasn't there, I told him I was, and my buddy backed me up.
7. v. (idiomatic, intransitive, cricket) For the non-striker to take a few steps down the pitch, in preparation to taking a run, just as the bowler bowls the ball.
8. v. (idiomatic, intransitive, cricket) For a fielder to position himself behind the wicket (relative to a team-mate who is throwing the ball at the wicket) so as to stop the ball, and prevent overthrows.
9. v. (idiomatic, intransitive, of a blockage) To halt the flow or movement of something.
When I flushed the toilet, the plumbing backed up and burst.
10. v. (idiomatic, intransitive, informal) To fill up because of a backlog.
Analysis
back
1. adj. (not comparable) Near the rear.
Go in the back door of the house.
2. adj. (not comparable) Not current.
I’d like to find a back issue of that magazine.
3. adj. (not comparable) Far from the main area.
up
1. adv. Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.
I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.
2. adv. (intensifier) Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state Thoroughly, completely.
I will mix up the puzzle pieces.
Tear up the contract.

Example Sentences

Did you have something to back up?

They stop just before exiting, and slowly begin to back up.

The dog unfolds a map, consults it, then has trouble folding it back up.

What will happen is that the media feeding frenzy will abate and if he's still leader then, no one will have the energy to get it back up again.

Looking back up the hanging slope I could see groups of pale primroses, and between the exposed roots of the high beeches the violets had burst into flower among the much taller stems of dogs mercury.

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