Meaning trap
back up
reverse a vehicle
To move a car or other vehicle backwards.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To move a car or other vehicle backwards.
Another meaning of 'back up' is 'support someone'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Could you back up a little so I can get out?travel
- When I took my driving test, I had to back up the car into a parking space.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: back up (vehicle/object)
WrongHe backed up from the driveway.
RightHe backed out of the driveway.
To leave a space in reverse it's 'back out of'; plain 'back up' is just moving backwards.
Patternback up (vehicle/object)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Back up' is the natural verb for reversing a car (esp. AmE); the formal paraphrase is odd.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
back up (a vehicle)the cara bitslowlyinto
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'turn around', which means to change direction completely.
Related
- back up (support someone) — Another meaning of 'back up' is 'support someone'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.