back someone or something up

  • 1someone or something from hell — n. omeone or something very intense, annoying, or challenging. (As if the person or thing were a demon from hell.) □ She is the nurse from hell and just loves to give shots. □ I just came back from a cruise from hell and have lots of horror… …

    Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • 2bring someone or something back to life — to cause someone or something that has died to begin living again The story is about a mad scientist who tries to bring dead people back to life. often used figuratively They re trying to bring the restaurant back to life by introducing a new me …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 3send back someone — send back (someone/something) to return someone or something to the place they came from. A year after he got out of prison, he was sent back for dealing in drugs. Some computer ads allow users to click on a button and send an e mail back to the… …

    New idioms dictionary

  • 4keep someone from something — 1 he could hardly keep himself from laughing: PREVENT, stop, restrain, hold back. 2 keep them from harm: PRESERVE, protect, keep safe, guard, shield, shelter …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 5back — back1 [ bæk ] adverb *** ▸ 1 returning to place/state ▸ 2 as reply or reaction ▸ 3 away from the front ▸ 4 away from someone/something ▸ 5 toward beginning of something ▸ 6 in/into the past ▸ 7 in a different place ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) returning to a …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 6back */*/*/ — I UK [bæk] / US adverb 1) a) in the direction that is behind you Don t look back, but there s a man following us. He asked us to move back a few yards. b) in a position where your back is leaning backwards lean/sit/lie back: She leant back in her …

    English dictionary

  • 7back up — verb 1. give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to (Freq. 3) She supported him during the illness Her children always backed her up • Syn: ↑support • Derivationally related forms: ↑backup, ↑supportive …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 8back — [bæk] verb [transitive] 1. to support someone or something, especially by giving money or using your influence: • The board backed Mr Standley, who plans to cut costs. • Shareholders have backed a plan to build a second plant. 2. FINANCE if …

    Financial and business terms

  • 9back the wrong horse — back/pick/the right/wrong/horse phrase to support someone or something that succeeds fails Despite their best efforts, companies sometimes end up backing the wrong horse. Thesaurus: to do something well or better …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 10back seat — n 1.) a seat at the back of a car, behind where the driver sits 2.) back seat driver informal a) a passenger in the back of a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver about how to drive b) someone in business or politics who tries to control… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English