Idiomatic Uses Of Back

Question 1

Put your back it

Answer 1

Work very hard (usually physical work)

• If we really put our backs into it, we could finish today
• Come on, John. Stop messing around and put your back into it!
• I really put my back into it, you know?.

Question 2

Back out

Answer 2

Withdraw; to decide not to do something that you had promised to do (from an agreement, a contract etc.)
-It’s too late to back out now.
-After you’ve signed the contract, it will be impossible to back out
OF
-The government is trying to back out of its commitment to reduce pollution

Question 3

Back down

Answer 3

Admit that your are wrong
-Both sides have refused to back down
-Even though it was obvious Emma’s demands were unrealistic, she wouldn’t back down.
Congress has backed down ON its demand for an increase in defense spending.

Question 4

Back up

Answer 4

Support someone (in a discussing or argument)

Question 5

Back-date (v)

Answer 5

Make effective from an earlier date e.g. My salary increase was back-dated to January

Question 6

Break the back of

Answer 6

Finish the most difficult/main part of job/task

Question 7

have you back against the wall

Answer 7

Be in a difficult situation

Question 8

Background

Answer 8

A person’s social class, education, training or experience

Question 9

Backing

Answer 9

Support (moral or financial)

Question 10

Backhander (informal)

Answer 10

Bribe

Question 11

Backlog

Answer 11

Accumulation of uncompleted work, unfulfilled orders

The company has a backlog of 165 orders for the helicopter. etc.

Question 12

Back-breaking

Answer 12

Very hard, tiring physical work

Training for the University boat race must be one of the most backbreaking, brain blowing experiences in sport