Meaning trap
back up
support someone
To give help or show that you agree with someone, especially in an argument or difficult situation.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To give help or show that you agree with someone, especially in an argument or difficult situation.
Another meaning of 'back up' is 'reverse a vehicle'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- My friends always back me up when I need help.relationships
- In group projects, it's important to back up your teammates so everyone feels confident.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: back (someone) up
WrongThanks for backing up me in there.
RightThanks for backing me up in there.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'back me up'.
Patternback (someone) up
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Back someone up' is the everyday verb for supporting them; 'corroborate my version' is formal/legal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
back someone upmeyou upthe claimon this
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'cover for' (which means to do someone's work for them).
Related
- back up (reverse a vehicle) — Another meaning of 'back up' is 'reverse a vehicle'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.