Definition of back up - Reverso English Dictionary
Phrasal verb
1.
move backintr. move backwards, especially to allow more spaceintr.
- The truck had to back up to fit in the parking space..
2.
technologytr. make a copy of data for protectiontr.
- I always back up my files before updating the software..
3.
communicationtr. support or reinforce an argument or opiniontr.
- She came to the meeting to back up my point..
4.
obstructiontr. US cause to accumulate as a result of obstructiontr. US
- The accident caused traffic to back up for miles..
5.
rethinkintr. reconsider one's thoughts or actionsintr.
- He decided to back up and try a new approach.
Expressions with back up
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
become angry or annoyed
He tends to get his back up when criticized.
make someone annoyed, angry, or defensive
Don't get my back up with your comments.
be angry or defensive in response to something
She had her back up after the unfair criticism.
annoy or irritate someone
His comments really put her back up.
stand up again after falling or being knocked down
After tripping, she managed to get back up quickly.
prepare to take advantage of an opportunity
They backed up the truck to support the new project.
Terms with back up included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
cause movement
cause to move quickly back and forth or up and down
physical motion
rapid movement back and forth or up and down
physical action
get up on the back of something
physical action
move something quickly back and forth or up and down
arguments
used to back up an argument or idea
support
endorse or back up an idea or cause
movement
moving back and forth or up and down
court remedy
making up for harm by giving back what was taken
motion
moving back and forth or up and down
mounting
get up on the back of something
fashion
hat with the back of the brim turned up
behavior
give up or back down very quickly when under pressure
motion
continuous movement up and down or back and forth
oscillating
moving up and down or back and forth repeatedly
Examples of back up in a sentence
The car needs to back up to let the other vehicle pass. You should back up your photos regularly. He forgot to back up his important documents. He needed more data to back up his hypothesis. Witnesses were called to back up the defendant's story. Leaves can back up the gutters.
A clogged drain can back up the sink. Back up and check the figures before signing. I backed up when I realized my plan would fail.
View all translations of back up
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:reculer, sauvegarder, ...
- German:zurückfahren, sichern, ...
- Italian:fare retromarcia, fare una copia di sicurezza, ...
- Spanish:retroceder, respaldar, ...
- Portuguese:recuar, fazer backup, ...
- Chinese:倒车, 备份, ...
- Japanese:バックする, バックアップを取る, ...
- Arabic:تَرَاجَعَ, نَسَخَ احتياطياً, ...
- Hebrew:לָנוּעַ אָחוֹרָה, לְגַבּוֹת, ...
- Russian:двигаться назад, сделать резервную копию, ...
- Ukrainian:відступати, робити резервну копію, ...
- Hindi:पीछे हटना, बैकअप लेना, ...
Definition of back-up - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
supportserving as a substitute or support option
- We have a back-up plan in case of rain.
- We need a back-up generator for emergencies.
- There's a back-up key under the mat.
Origin of back-up
English, back (support) + up (raise)
View all translations of back-up
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:de secours, ...
- German:Ersatz-, ...
- Italian:di riserva, ...
- Spanish:de respaldo, ...
- Portuguese:reserva, ...
- Chinese:备用, ...
- Japanese:予備の, ...
- Arabic:احتياطي, ...
- Hebrew:חֲלוּפִי, ...
- Russian:запасной, ...
- Ukrainian:резервний, ...
- Hindi:वैकल्पिक, ...
icon to discover related terms: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, umbrella terms… Try with happening or hunch.
icon next to the first example to see two additional options and learn to use new vocabulary naturally.
icon to save words you want to revisit. You can also save a specific meaning by clicking on the