26984 words

backs

38 definitions • 62 examples
1
in, into, or towards a previous place or condition, or an earlier time:

Examples:

look back He looked back and saw they were following him.
put something back When you take the scissors, remember to put them back.
bring something back Looking at her old photographs brought back (= made her remember) a lot of memories.
He left a note saying "Gone out. Back soon."
be back She went to Brazil for two years, but now she's back.
I was woken by a thunderstorm, and I couldn't get back to sleep (= could not sleep again).
The last time we saw Lowell was back (= at an earlier time) in January.
date back to This tradition dates back to the 16th century.
2
in return:

Examples:

If he hits me, I'll hit him back.
You're not just going to let her say those things about you without fighting back, are you?
3
in reply:

Examples:

I'm busy at the moment - can I call you back?
I wrote to Donna several months ago, but she hasn't written back yet.
4
used about watching something that has been recorded, especially after experiencing it in real life:

Examples:

watch something back I haven't watched the race back on video and I think I never will.
view something back It is a good idea to record the conversation, then the customer can view it back at his or her convenience.
When I saw the tackle back on video, it was clear that a penalty should have been given.
5
further away in distance:

Examples:

If we push the table back against the wall, we'll have more room.
"Keep back!" he shouted, "Don't come any closer!"
He sat back on the sofa.
She threw back her head and laughed uproariously.
back from The house is set back from the street.
6
the inside or outside part of an object, vehicle, building, etc. that is furthest from the front:

Examples:

out the back Ted was out the back.
round the back If there's no reply at the front door, come round the back.
He jotted her name down on the back of an envelope.
I found my tennis racket at the back of the cupboard.
We sat at the back of the bus.
Our seats were right at the back of the auditorium.
There is a beautiful garden at the back of (= behind) the house.
He put his jacket on the back of his chair (= the part of the chair that you put your back against when you sit on it).
7
close together and facing in opposite directions:

Examples:

The office was full of computers, and we had to sit back to back in long rows.
8
happening one after another, without interruption:

Examples:

Coming up after the break, three Rolling Stones classics back to back.
9
with the back part of something where the front should be:

Examples:

You've put your jumper on back to front.
10
the side of your hand that has hair growing on it:

Examples:

He kissed the back of her hand.
11
the part of your body that is opposite to the front, from your shoulders to your bottom:

Examples:

on your back He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.
turn your back I turned my back while she dressed.
I have a bad back.
Sleeping on a bed that is too soft can be bad for your back.
12
to cause a serious injury to your back:

Examples:

She put her back out lifting a box.
He has had to withdraw from the competition after putting his back out.
13
(in some sports, such as football) one of the players in a team who try to stop players from the other team from scoring goals, rather than trying to score goals themselves:

Examples:

He plays at left back.
14
in sports such as American football and rugby, one of the players in the team who stand farthest away from the ball when the action starts:

Examples:

The big back scored all three of the team's touchdowns.
We rarely managed to get the ball out to the backs.
15
to give support to someone or something with money or words:

Examples:

The management has refused to back our proposals.
16
to risk money by saying that you think a horse, team, etc. will win a race, game, or competition in order to win more money if they do:

Examples:

The horse I backed came in last.
17
to (cause to) move backwards:

Examples:

Please could you back your car up a few feet so that I can get mine out of the driveway?
back into Ann gave up driving when she backed the car into the garage door.
18
to cover the back of something with a material, often to make it stronger or thicker:

Examples:

The material is backed with a heavy lining.
19
at or near the back of something:

Examples:

She left the house by the back door.
The back seat of the car folds down.
20
paid after the end of a period of time when it should have been paid:

Examples:

They owe the staff several thousand in back pay.
He owes a lot in back taxes.
21
in, at, or toward a previous place or condition or an earlier time
22
Back can also mean in return:
23
farther away; to a farther place
24
having returned to a previous place or condition
25
at or near the back of something
26
the part of something that is farthest from the front
27
The back of your hand is the side opposite the palm that has hair growing on it.
28
the part of your body opposite the front, from your neck to the top of your legs
29
The back of a seat is the part your back leans against.
30
to give support to someone or something with money or words
31
to move backward
32
to give support or approval to someone or something:

Examples:

Shareholders will be asked to back the proposals.
33
to provide financial support for someone or something:

Examples:

A handful of firms will sell more than $2 billion of bonds backed by home equity, credit card, and other loans.
Demand continues for government-backed loans.
Investors are snapping up asset-backed bonds.
34
pay, rent, tax, etc. that should have been paid or was expected at an earlier time:

Examples:

Most of the back taxes due were for the years 2006 through 2008.
35
If something is on the back burner, it is not being dealt with at the present time, especially because it is not urgent or important, but it will be dealt with in the future:

Examples:

Any plans of opening new restaurants are on the back burner until the recession ends.
I lost my job and had to put my plans to move house on the back burner.
36
to become less important (than something else):

Examples:

Agriculture, which generates only about $50 million a year in revenue, takes a back seat to other industries like oil and gas that bring in billions of dollars.
Environmental issues take a back seat in tough economic times.
37
to let other people have a more active and responsible position than you in an organization or activity:

Examples:

After appointing a new chief executive, the chairman of the fashion chain is finally taking a back seat at the business he founded.
38
in return or reply:

Examples:

I'm busy at the moment - can I call you back?
I e-mailed the customer services department and they said they would get back to me tomorrow.

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