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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Back Someone Up: Meaning, Examples & Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：support or defend someone (back someone up)

back someone up 🔊

/bæk ˈsʌmwʌn ʌp/

phr.v.

To support someone, especially by saying you agree with them or by helping them.

Back someone up support meaning illustration with friend nodding

support or defend someone 🔊

➕

/səˈpɔːrt ɔːr dɪˈfend ˈsʌmwʌn/

phr.v.

To give someone support, especially by agreeing with them or helping them during a discussion or difficult situation.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combination of 'back' (to support) and 'up' (to increase), forming a phrasal verb meaning to provide support or make a copy.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a friend literally standing behind you to support your argument, or pressing a 'Back Up' button to secure your files.

📖 Example

During the meeting, when I presented my idea, my colleague Sarah immediately backed me up and shared her own data. 🔊 During the meeting, when I presented my idea, my colleague Sarah immediately backed me up and shared her own data.

🔗 Collocations

back someone up in an argument – provide support for someone during a disagreement

back up a friend's story – confirm or agree with a friend's account of events

back up a colleague's proposal – offer support for a colleague's suggestion or plan

🔄 Synonyms

support (verb) – to give assistance or agreement to someone

stand by (phrase) – to remain loyal and ready to help someone

defend (verb) – to speak or act in favor of someone against criticism

🚫 Antonyms

contradict (verb) – to say the opposite of someone's statement

oppose (verb) – to actively resist or disagree with someone

🌱 Derivatives

backup (noun) – a person or thing that provides support

backer (noun) – someone who gives support or financial help

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase originates from 19th-century American English, where 'back up' was used in sports to mean supporting a teammate. In the 1960s, computer engineers adopted it to describe creating data copies for safety.

Meaning 2：make a duplicate copy of data (back someone up)

back someone up 🔊

/bæk ˈsʌmwʌn ʌp/

phr.v.

To make a copy of computer information so that you do not lose it.

Back up data backup button on computer screen with cloud

make a duplicate copy of data 🔊

➕

/meɪk ə ˈduːplɪkeɪt ˈkɒpi əv ˈdeɪtə/

phr.v.

To create a copy of digital files, documents, or system data to prevent loss in case of failure or damage.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Before I update my phone's software, I always remember to back up all my photos to the cloud. 🔊 Before I update my phone's software, I always remember to back up all my photos to the cloud.

🔗 Collocations

back up files to an external drive – save a copy of files on an external storage device

back up data regularly – perform data duplication at fixed intervals

back up your system – create a full copy of the operating system and settings

🔄 Synonyms

save (verb) – to store data in a secure place

duplicate (verb) – to make an exact copy

archive (verb) – to store historical data for long-term preservation

🚫 Antonyms

delete (verb) – to remove or erase data permanently

lose (verb) – to be unable to find or access data

🌱 Derivatives

backup (noun) – a copy of data for security purposes

backup plan (noun) – an alternative strategy in case of failure