back up

Friendly

Explanation of "Back Up"

Definition: The phrase "back up" is a phrasal verb with several meanings. Here are the main ones:

Usage Instructions:

• Use "back up" when talking about obstruction, making copies, providing support, moving backward, or validating claims.
• It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Examples:

1. Obstruction: "The heavy rain caused the river to back up and flood the nearby fields."
2. Making a Copy: "Make sure to back up your photos on an external hard drive."
3. Supporting Someone: "My friends always back me up when I need help."
4. Moving Backwards: "Please back up the car so I can get in the garage."
5. Validating Claims: "She was asked to back up her argument with research data."

Advanced Usage:

• "Back up" can be used in various tenses and forms depending on the context. For example:
  • Past: "I backed up my files yesterday."
  • Continuous: "I am backing up my computer right now."

Word Variants:

• Backup (noun): A copy of data or support. Example: "I have a backup of my documents."
• Backed (adjective): Supported or endorsed. Example: "He is a backed candidate for the election."

Different Meanings:

• In a computer context, "back up" can refer specifically to data storage, while in a personal context, it can refer more to emotional or moral support.

Synonyms:

• For obstruction: clog, jam
• For making copies: duplicate, save
• For supporting: assist, help, uphold
• For moving backwards: reverse, retreat
• For validating: confirm, substantiate

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Back down": To withdraw or concede in an argument. Example: "He had to back down when faced with evidence."
• "Back off": To retreat or move away. Example: "She told him to back off when he got too close."
• "Back something up": To support or reinforce an argument or idea. Example: "Can you back that statement up with facts?"

Academic

Verb

1. become or cause to become obstructed
   • The leaves clog our drains in the Fall
   • The water pipe is backed up
2. make a copy of (a computer file) especially for storage in another place as a security copy
   • You'd better back up these files!
3. establish as valid or genuine
   • Can you back up your claims?
4. move backwards from a certain position
   • The bully had to back down
5. give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to
   • She supported him during the illness
   • Her children always backed her up

Synonyms

• clog
• choke off
• clog up
• congest
• choke
• foul
• back
• back off
• back down
• support