Phrasal verbs and idioms with back
Back down
To back down is to admit defeat.
Back off
To back off is to draw back from opposing someone.
Back out
To back out is to withdraw from something you have promised to do.
- He had promised to lend me a loan but he backed out in the end.
Back something up
- You must always back up your data.
Behind someone’s back
When you do something behind someone’s back, you do it without their knowledge.
- They were saying nasty things about me behind my back.
Get someone’s back up / Put someone’s back up
To get someone’s back up is to annoy them.
- I got his back up with my stupid remarks.
Turn your back on
To turn your back on someone is to reject or ignore them.
- When at last he returned to her, she turned her back on him.
Have your back to the wall / Have your back up against the wall
When you have your back to the wall, you are in a very difficult situation.
- He has borrowed money from everyone – he really has his back to the wall now.
