Episode 89 - 6 DIFFERENT Ways To Use The English Phrasal Verb 'Back Up'🤯

Today we're going to look at the phrasal verb 'back up'. In this episode I will cover 6 different meanings for this phrasal verb, however, after filming I found two more! If this phrasal verb confuses you...no wonder! How can two little words have 8 potential meanings! That's CRAZY!!😵 Here's a list of all the way's you can use it. 1. Move backwards You'll have to back up all the way, we can't turn around. I'm backing up now, is everyone out of the way? 2. Move a little backwards Just back up a little more. Can you back up a bit for me, I'm feeling claustrophobic. 3. Undo actions We worked so hard on it but we're not getting anywhere. Why don't we back up a bit and try a different tack? I don't know, but I don't like it. Let's back up and go a different way. 4. Reconsider thoughts I know I said I trusted you but I need to back up and think about this. Back up, back up, why are we doing this again? 5. Provide support or the promise of support What? Is he your back up? If this all goes south, I'll be your back up. 6. Stop the flow of movement for something The traffic's backed up right across the bridge. (traffic has) The toilet's backed up again. (toilet has) 7. To confirm a statement (similar to #4) Can you back up and repeat that, I'm not sure I heard you right. Back up, say that again, what did you say? 8. to make copies of computer files I need to make a back up of all the files on this computer. I need to back up this computer before we go. Additional Vocabulary Claustrophobic - a fear of small spaces. In this case we feel uncomfortable because someone is too close or in our personal space. Try a different tack - idiom - to try a different way or idea If this all goes south - idiom (American English) if something 'goes South' then it goes badly. a stray one - an unexpected or lost one, sometimes something that has escaped a free flow of traffic - when the traffic (or anything that should be moving) is moving easily then we can say there is a free flow