to back up

Definition of to back up in English English dictionary: For the non-striker to take a few steps down the pitch, in preparation to taking a run, just as the bowler bowls the ball; To copy (data) as a security measure; For an accumulation of material to halt the flow or movement of something
When I flushed the toilet, the plumbing backed up and burst.; To undo one's actions
I couldn't see how to finish the project, so I backed up and tried it another way.; To reconsider one's thoughts
This isn't working. Let's back up and think about it.; For a fielder to position himself behind the wicket (relative to a team-mate who is throwing the ball at the wicket) so as to stop the ball, and prevent overthrows; To provide support or the promise of support
When he said I wasn't there, I told him I was, and my buddy backed me up.; To move a vehicle backwards; To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so; To create a file (backup file) that duplicates data stored in one or more files on a client or server computer; To print the second, or reverse side of a sheet already printed on one side Printing is said to back up when the printing areas on both sides are exactly opposite one another to top; To store data for the purpose of creating a backup copy [IETF99]; To make a copy of a disk or of a file on a disk; {f} accumulate; cause to accumulate; provide support; substantiate; move backwards; move a vehicle in the reverse direction; support or confirm someone's testimony; make a copy of an original to have in case the original gets damaged or lost (esp. about computer files); If an idea or intention is backed up by action, action is taken to support or confirm it. The Secretary General says the declaration must now be backed up by concrete and effective actions It is time the Government backed up its advert campaigns with tougher measures; creating copies of files which are stored in a safe place; To save important data in a secondary location as a safety against loss of the primary data; Making an identical copy of a file or files and storing it in a different place Just in case; In computer operations, to create a duplicate copy of a program, disk, or data In the printing industry, to print the back side of a sheet already printed on the front; To make a copy of a file, group of files, or the entire contents of a hard disk; A copy of a computer program or a computer document used in case of emergency or failure; To copy a certain set of files and directories from your hard disk to a tape or other storage media; To hold one section of an object while another is being screwed into or out of it; To copy information to another location to ensure against loss of data In Tivoli Storage Manager, you can back up user files, the Tivoli Storage Manager database, and storage pools Contrast with restore See also database backup series and incremental backup; In flash and upset welding, a locator used to transmit all or a portion of the upsetting force to the workpieces; To copy one or more files on a diskette for safekeeping in case the original diskette gets damaged or lost; If vehicles back up, they form a line of traffic which has to wait before it can move on. Traffic into London on the M11 was backed up for several miles; To make an electronic copy of data, in case something happens to the original; To make a copy of a program or other data on a separate storage medium to ensure against loss of or damage to the original Information on a hard disk is often backed up on a floppy disk; If someone or something backs up a statement, they supply evidence to suggest that it is true. Radio signals received from the galaxy's centre back up the black hole theory = support; become or cause to become obstructed; "The leaves clog our drains in the Fall"; "The water pipe is backed up"; To make a copy of a disk or file(s) on a second storage device Backing up files ensures that work is not lost if an original is damaged or otherwise unrecoverable Regularly backing up one's work is an excellent habit to develop; (1) To print on the second side of a sheet already printed on one side (2) To adjust an image on one side of a sheet so that it aligns back-to-back with an image on the other side; To make a copy of data and to store the copy on an external medium -- such as a CD-R or CD-RW disk -- for safekeeping This copy is called a "backup " Backing up is extremely important to safeguard against unexpected events To play or work on a song or project that's been backed up, it must be "recovered "; If you back someone up, you help them by confirming that what they are saying is true. The girl denied being there, and the man backed her up; To hold one section of an object, such as a pipe or a nut, while another is being screwed into or out of it A BACK UP WRENCH refers to any wrench being used to hold the pipe or bolt; If you back up, the car or other vehicle that you are driving moves back a short distance. Back up, Hans A police van drove through the protesters and backed up to the front door of the house. = reverse; move backwards from a certain position; "The bully had to back down"; move backwards from a certain position; "The bully had to back down; give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to; "She supported him during the illness"; "Her children always backed her up"; To match the vertical position of lines on the opposite sides of a sheet printed on both sides; establish as valid or genuine; "Can you back up your claims?"; If you back someone up, you show your support for them. His employers, Norfolk social services, backed him up. = support; (1) When bond yields rise and prices fall, the market is said to backup (2) An investor who swaps out of one security into another of shorter current maturity is said to back up; If you back up, you move backwards a short distance. I backed up carefully until I felt the wall against my back She backed up a few steps. see also backup; If you back up a computer file, you make a copy of it which you can use if the original file is damaged or lost. Make a point of backing up your files at regular intervals I get so annoyed when I lose work because I've forgotten to back it up; {i} backing, support, aid; In printing; to print the second side of a sheet already printed on one side In computers; to make a copy of your work on a separate disk in case something happens to the original; make a copy of (a computer file) especially for storage in another place as a security cop; "You'd better back up these files!"