back up

verb

1. give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to (Freq. 3)

-

She supported him during the illness

-

Her children always backed her up

• Syn: ↑support

• Derivationally related forms: ↑backup, ↑supportive (for: ↑support), ↑support (for: ↑support), ↑supporter (for: ↑support)

• Hyponyms:

↑sponsor, ↑patronize, ↑patronise, ↑shop, ↑shop at, ↑buy at, ↑frequent, ↑help, ↑assist, ↑aid, ↑promote, ↑advance, ↑boost, ↑further, ↑encourage, ↑undergird, ↑second, ↑back, ↑endorse, ↑indorse

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

-

Somebody ——s somebody

-

Something ——s somebody

-

Something ——s something

-

Sam cannot back up Sue

2. move backwards from a certain position (Freq. 3)

-

The bully had to back down

• Syn: ↑back off, ↑back down

• Derivationally related forms: ↑backdown (for: ↑back down)

• Hypernyms:

↑withdraw, ↑retreat, ↑pull away, ↑draw back, ↑recede, ↑pull back, ↑retire, ↑move back

• Verb Frames:

-

Something ——s

-

Somebody ——s

3. establish as valid or genuine (Freq. 1)

-

Can you back up your claims?

• Syn: ↑back

• Hypernyms: ↑confirm, ↑corroborate, ↑sustain, ↑substantiate, ↑support, ↑affirm

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

-

Something ——s something

4. make a copy of (a computer file) especially for storage in another place as a security copy

-

You'd better back up these files!

• Derivationally related forms: ↑backup

• Topics: ↑computer, ↑computing machine, ↑computing device, ↑data processor, ↑electronic computer, ↑information processing system

• Hypernyms: ↑copy, ↑re-create

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s something

5. become or cause to become obstructed

-

The leaves clog our drains in the Fall

-

The water pipe is backed up

• Syn: ↑clog, ↑choke off, ↑clog up, ↑congest, ↑choke, ↑foul

• Ant: ↑unclog (for: ↑clog)

• Derivationally related forms: ↑congestive (for: ↑congest), ↑congestion (for: ↑congest), ↑backup, ↑clog (for: ↑clog)

• Hypernyms:

↑obstruct, ↑obturate, ↑impede, ↑occlude, ↑jam, ↑block, ↑close up

• Hyponyms:

↑gum up, ↑crap up, ↑stuff, ↑lug, ↑choke up, ↑block, ↑silt up, ↑silt

• Verb Frames:

-

Something ——s

-

Somebody ——s something

-

Something ——s something

* * *

1) (of vehicles) form a line due to congestion

the traffic began to back up

2) (of running water) accumulate behind an obstruction

* * *

back up [phrasal verb]

1 a : to move backward

The car backed up slowly.

Could you back up a little to give me some room?

— sometimes used figuratively

Wait, let's back up for a second. [=let's go back to what we were discussing earlier]

1 b back (a vehicle) up or back up (a vehicle) : to move (a vehicle) backward

Could you back your car up a little to give me some room?

2 a : to become blocked so that movement or flow is slowed or stopped

Traffic backed up for miles because of the accident.

The drain backed up [=clogged] and had to be unclogged by a plumber.

2 b back (something) up or back up (something) : to cause (something) to become blocked

The accident backed up traffic for miles. = Traffic was backed up [=(Brit) tailed back] for miles because of the accident.

The drain was backed up.

3 back (someone or something) up or back up (someone or something) : to give help or support to (someone or something)

I'll back you up if I think you're right.

She backed her argument up with written evidence. = Written evidence backed her argument up.

It's time to back up your words with deeds!

— see also ↑back 1e (above), 4

4 back (something) up or back up (something) computers : to make a copy of (a computer file or data) to protect it from being lost

Remember to back up your work before you log off.

— see also ↑backup

• • •

Main Entry: ↑back

* * *

ˌback ˈup | ˌback sthˈup derived

to move backwards, especially in a vehicle

•

You can back up another two feet or so.

•

I backed the car up to the door.

Main entry: ↑back_derived