Phrase guide

back up

verb · 17 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • That beeping sound indicates that the truck is backing up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To move a vehicle backwards.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Back up the car a little, you're blocking the driveway.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: reverse

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To undo one's actions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • I couldn't see how to finish the project, so I backed up and tried it another way.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: back out

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To reconsider one's thoughts.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • This isn't working. Let's back up and think about it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To copy (data) so that it can be restored if the main copy is lost.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • Back up your documents folder before applying the update.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To provide support or the promise of support to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • 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.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: back, support

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

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.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Topics: ball-games, cricket, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

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.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Topics: ball-games, cricket, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

verb

Meaning 9

To halt the flow or movement of something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • When I flushed the toilet, the plumbing backed up and burst.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: plug up

Antonyms: none provided

10

verb

Meaning 10

To fill up because of a backlog.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fall behind

Antonyms: none provided

11

verb

Meaning 11

To run a printing press in reverse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

Topics: media, printing, publishing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

verb

Meaning 12

If a property backs up to another property, that means it abuts or shares a border with another property.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • We bought this house specifically because it backs up to our son's school.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: abut, border

Antonyms: none provided

13

verb

Meaning 13

establish as valid or genuine

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Can you back up your claims?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: back

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: confirm, corroborate, sustain, substantiate, support, affirm

14

verb

Meaning 14

become or cause to become obstructed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The leaves clog our drains in the Fall
  • The water pipe is backed up

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: clog, choke off, clog up, congest, choke, foul

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: obstruct, obturate, impede, occlude, jam, block, close up

Narrower terms: gum up, crap up, stuff, lug, choke up, block, silt up, silt

15

verb

Meaning 15

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

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • You'd better back up these files!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: copy, re-create

16

verb

Meaning 16

move backwards from a certain position

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The bully had to back down

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: back off, back down

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: withdraw, retreat, pull away, draw back, recede, pull back, retire, move back

17

verb

Meaning 17

give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She supported him during the illness
  • Her children always backed her up

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: support

Antonyms: none provided

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

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

58 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Belarusian: задкаваць (zadkavacʹ) — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Belarusian: даваць заднюю хаду (davacʹ zadnjuju xadu) — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Dutch: teruggaan — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Finnish: peruuttaa — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Finnish: pakittaa — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • French: reculer — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Polish: cofać — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Polish: cofnąć — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Russian: дава́ть за́дний ход (davátʹ zádnij xod) — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Spanish: retroceder — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Spanish: ciar — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Spanish: recular — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Spanish: recejar — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Spanish: cejar — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Spanish: reblar — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Vietnamese: lùi — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Welsh: bacio i fyny — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so
  • Dutch: achteruitrijden — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Finnish: peruuttaa — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Finnish: pakittaa — To move a vehicle backwards
  • French: reculer — To move a vehicle backwards
  • French: faire marche arrière — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Romanian: da înapoi — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Russian: дви́гаться наза́д (dvígatʹsja nazád) — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Russian: сдава́ть наза́д (sdavátʹ nazád) — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Russian: возвраща́ть (vozvraščátʹ) — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Russian: возвраща́ться (vozvraščátʹsja) — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Russian: дава́ть за́дний ход (davátʹ zádnij xod) — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Spanish: retroceder — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Vietnamese: lùi — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Welsh: bacio i fyny — To move a vehicle backwards
  • Dutch: back-uppen — To copy as a security measure
  • Esperanto: rezervi — To copy as a security measure
  • Finnish: varmuuskopioida — To copy as a security measure
  • French: sauvegarder — To copy as a security measure
  • French: faire une sauvegarde — To copy as a security measure
  • Georgian: დაამარქაფებს (daamarkapebs) — To copy as a security measure
  • Georgian: ამარქაფებს (amarkapebs) — To copy as a security measure
  • Georgian: სარეზერვო ასლს ქმნის (sarezervo asls kmnis) — To copy as a security measure
  • Māori: pūrua — To copy as a security measure
  • Māori: pūrua kōnae — To copy as a security measure
  • Norman: batchi — To copy as a security measure
  • Russian: де́лать резе́рвное копи́рование (délatʹ rezérvnoje kopírovanije) — To copy as a security measure
  • Russian: де́лать бэкап (délatʹ bɛkap) — To copy as a security measure
  • Russian: забэкапить (zabɛkapitʹ) — To copy as a security measure
  • Spanish: respaldar — To copy as a security measure
  • Spanish: copiar a la nube — To copy as a security measure
  • Turkish: yedeklemek — To copy as a security measure
  • Vietnamese: sao lưu — To copy as a security measure
  • Welsh: bacio i fyny — To copy as a security measure
  • Finnish: olla tukena — To provide support to
  • Finnish: tukea — To provide support to
  • Finnish: vahvistaa — To provide support to
  • Spanish: respaldar — To provide support to
  • Vietnamese: hỗ trợ — To provide support to
  • Welsh: bacio i fyny — To provide support to
  • Finnish: ottaa muutama askel taaksepäin — For the non-striker to take a few steps down the pitch
  • Finnish: mennä hilan taakse — For a fielder to position himself behind the wicket