Back up
1 Make a copy
Meaning
Make a copy of something, such as files on a computer, to prevent the accidental loss of data.
Why up?
Up is often used when we create or start something. Check out more phrasal verbs with the same preposition logic in Logic > up
Collocations
So, what words go together with back up?
Examples
| You can back up your files to an external hard drive |
| Your data is backed up automatically once every 24 hours. |
| It's important to back up your phone regularly. |
| Below are the steps to back up your contacts. |
| Make sure you back up your work regularly. |
| I didn't back up my stuff and I lost everything. |
Grammar
separable You can separate this phrasal verb in this context. It takes an object. You can back up your files or back your files up.
noun Backup can be used as a noun. You can restore files from a backup.
adjective You can say that you're not worried because you have a backup copy of your data.
2 Support
Meaning
Support or help someone.
similar get behind, stand behind, stand by
Why up?
Up if often used together with many verbs without changing the meaning in a big way. It kind of reinforces or adds emphasis to the verb.
Check out more phrasal verbs with the same preposition logic in Logic > up.
Examples
| Police in riot gear were backed up by officers on horseback. |
| My wife will back me up on that. |
| Her comments were backed up by the rest of the party's leaders. |
| The managing director refused to back him up. |
| Firefighters, backed up by helicopters and planes, are fighting a losing battle to bring the flames under control. |
Grammar
separable You can separate this phrasal verb in this context. It can take an object. If it's a personal pronoun, you should always separate it, as in someone backs you up.
3 Provide evidence
Meaning
Provide evidence, examples, data or facts to prove something.
Why up?
Up here is used for emphasis. There's no extra meaning.
Check out more phrasal verbs with the same preposition logic in Logic > up.
Examples
| Where is the evidence to back that up? |
| He obviously can't back up his claim. |
| This is backed up by a study from Stanford University. |
| These claims are not backed up by science. |
| His view is backed up by official figures. |
| Back up your argument with examples. |
Grammar
separable You can separate this phrasal verb in this context. It can take an object. You can back something up or back upsomething but it's much more common to keep the verb together unless used with pronouns.
4 Move backwards
Meaning
Move backwards a short distance.
Why up?
Again, as above, up adds nothing to the verb. It seems to be used for emphasis.
Check out more phrasal verbs with the same preposition logic in Logic > up .
Examples
| We had to back up to let cars pass. |
| I stopped and backed up carefully. |
| We backed up a bit to make room for them. |
| The car backed up and hit a tree. |
Grammar
inseparable Don't separate this phrasal verb in this context. It doesn't take an object.
5 Queue due to congestion
Meaning
Form a long line or queue because there's too much traffic or there's been an accident or problem ahead.
Why up?
Again, as above, up adds nothing to the verb. It seems to be used for emphasis.
Check out more phrasal verbs with the same preposition logic in Logic > up .
Examples
| The traffic began to back up. |
| There was a huge queue of lorries backed up on the motorway. |
| Get there early as traffic tends to back up. |
| Traffic was already backing up in both directions. |
Grammar
inseparable Don't separate this phrasal verb in this context. It doesn't take an object.