phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

back up

to support or copy data

What it means

To support someone in what they say or do, or to make a copy of computer data for safety. It can also mean to move a vehicle backwards, especially in American English.

Examples

  • Will you back me up if I tell the manager what really happened?
  • Remember to back up your files before updating the software.
  • She backed up her argument with clear examples and statistics.
  • He carefully backed the car up out of the narrow driveway.

Where it comes from

Separable in most senses: 'back me up' or 'back up the files'. The noun 'backup' (one word) means a copy of data or a person who provides support.

Related phrasal verbs

#set up#write down#stand by#give in

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