What is "back up"

back up \back" up\, v. i.

1. to move in a reverse direction; -- used of vehicles or animals.

2. to accumulate due to a blockage of flow; as, a traffic backup due to an accident; a sewage backup.

back up \back" up\, v. t.

1. to serve as a backup[3] for (another person or persons); as, the patrolmen backed up the detectives as they went inside to make the arrest; the center fielder backed up the shortstop on the play.

2. (Computers) to make a backup[5] of; as, the sysop backed up the purchasing data files every night.

1767, "stand behind and support," from back (v.) + up. The noun meaning "a standby, a reserve" is recorded from 1952 (often written as one word, backup); specific reference to computing is from 1965.

vb. 1 (context idiomatic intransitive English) To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so. 2 (context idiomatic transitive English) To move a vehicle backwards.

1. v. give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to; "She supported him during the illness"; "Her children always backed her up" [syn: support]

2. move backwards from a certain position; "The bully had to back down" [syn: back off, back down]

3. establish as valid or genuine; "Can you back up your claims?" [syn: back]

4. make a copy of (a computer file) especially for storage in another place as a security cop; "You'd better back up these files!"

5. become or cause to become obstructed; "The leaves clog our drains in the Fall"; "The water pipe is backed up" [syn: clog, choke off, clog up, congest, choke, foul] [ant: unclog]

"Back Up" is a song by American rapper Pitbull. It was released on December 22, 2004 as the third single from Pitbull's first studio album M.I.A.M.I.. The song was produced by DEL and the Díaz Brothers.

"Back Up" is a song recorded by American rapper Dej Loaf, featuring American rapper Big Sean. It was released by Columbia Records on July 15, 2015, as the first single from Loaf's debut EP ...And See That's the Thing (2015). The song was written by Dej Loaf, Big Sean, Clenton Gosberry and Kyle Adams; the latter also produced the song under the pseudonym iRocksays.

"Back Up" is a song by American West Coast hip hop recording artist Snoop Dogg. It was released for digital download and streaming on November 18, 2015. The song is the first single released from the Mixtape Beach City (2015). The song produced by Scoop DeVille and mixing by Todd Cooper. The artwork was created by John Fenerides.