What is back? Pronunciation and usage in English

back means . Learn how to pronounce and use back through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of back

backnoun/verb

/bak/
Definition & pronunciation of back

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "back" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, depending on where you are in the US and the specific nuance you want to convey.

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (North America - General):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /bæk/
  • How it sounds: It's a short, quick "ah" sound, like in "cat." The "k" is silent. Think of it as "bahk."
  • Example: "I need to back the car up." (pronounced /aɪ nid tu bæk the kaːr ʌp/)

2. The "Buck" Pronunciation (Southern US - and some parts of the Midwest):

  • IPA: /bʌk/
  • How it sounds: This pronunciation uses a longer "uh" sound, like in "cup." It’s noticeably different and can sound quite distinct.
  • Example: "He's a good buck." (pronounced /hiːz ə gud bʌk/)

Here's a breakdown to help you distinguish them:

Feature /bæk/ (Standard) /bʌk/ (Southern)
Vowel Sound Short "ah" Long "uh"
Length of Word Shorter Slightly longer

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (generally)? (e.g., "I'm in the UK," "I'm in Texas," "I'm in Canada," etc.) This will help me narrow down the most likely pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word back in English

Let's break down how to use the word "back" in English! It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings and uses. Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. Physical Orientation & Movement:

  • Returning to a position: "I sat back in my chair." “He leaned back against the wall.” “She backed up to the door.”
  • Moving backward: "He backed the car out of the driveway." "The dog backed away from the loud noise." “I need to back up a little.” (Meaning to move backwards slightly)
  • Supporting someone's or something’s weight: "The chair has a back." “The sofa needs a new back.”

2. Support & Agreement:

  • Affirming a statement: “Are you with me?” “Back me up!” (Meaning “Support me,” “Tell me you agree.”)
  • Supporting a cause or idea: “I’m backing the new environmental initiative.”
  • Endorsing someone: "She’s backing her brother for mayor."

3. Location & Direction:

  • Behind: "The store is back there.” "He sat back in the audience."
  • Returning to a place: “I’m heading back home.” “Let’s back to the beginning.”
  • Returning to a previous state: “The computer is backing up data.” (Saving data)

4. Phrasal Verbs (Very Common!)

This is where "back" gets really powerful. Here are some frequent ones:

  • Back up: (verb) - To support (as above), or to copy data for safekeeping. “I back up my computer files regularly.” “Can you back me up on this decision?”
  • Back down: (verb) - To withdraw from a position, to give up. "He backed down after the criticism." "Don't back down from a challenge."
  • Back out: (verb) - To withdraw from an agreement or commitment, to hesitate. “I almost backed out of the race at the last minute.” “She backed out of the deal.”
  • Back into: (verb) – To drive into something. "He backed into the car."
  • Back up to: (verb) - To park your vehicle so it's next to another vehicle. "I backed up to my neighbor's car."

5. Other Uses:

  • Back (a payment): “I’ll back you $20.” (To give money in advance)
  • The back of something: “The back of the book,” “The back of my hand,” “The back room.”
  • Back (a smile): “She gave a little back smile.” (A shy, quick smile)
  • Back (to return): "I need to back my things." (Bring them back)

6. Idiomatic Expressions:

  • Back to the wall: In a difficult situation with no options.
  • See the back of (someone/something): To be rid of someone/something. ("He's finally seen the back of his boss.")
  • Give someone your back: To turn away from someone, often in anger or disapproval.

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • What are you trying to use "back" in? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, understanding a specific sentence?)
  • Do you have a particular example sentence you'd like me to explain?

Synonyms for the word back

Idioms of the word back

at/in the back of your mind
if a thought, etc. is at the back of your mind, you are aware of it but it is not what you are mainly thinking about
  • At the back of my mind was a small, warning voice, telling me it was wrong.
  • The problem was always at the back of my mind.
somebody's back is turned
when somebody's back is turned they are not present and not able to see what is happening
  • Officers are ready to issue a parking ticket as soon as a driver's back is turned.
the back of beyond
(informal)a place that is a long way from other houses, towns, etc.
  • We stayed in some farmhouse in the back of beyond.
(on the) back of an envelope
used to talk about planning or calculating something in a way that is not detailed, exact or complete
  • We added up our savings on the back of an envelope.
  • back-of-the-envelope calculations
back to back
if two people stand or sit back to back, they stand or sit with their backs facing or touching each other
  • The children sat back to back so they couldn't see each others' drawings.
if two or more things happen back to back, they happen one after the other
  • The team had to play three games back to back.
back to front
if you put on a piece of clothing back to front, you make a mistake and put the back where the front should be
  • I think you've got that sweater on back to front.
be glad, etc. to see the back of somebody/something
(informal, especially British English)to be happy that you will not have to deal with or see somebody/something again because you do not like them or it
  • Was I pleased to see the back of her!
  • I can’t wait to see the back of that old car.
behind somebody’s back
without somebody’s knowledge or permission
  • Have you been talking about me behind my back?
  • They went ahead and sold it behind my back.
  • People say bad things about him behind his back, but never to his face.
be on somebody’s back
(informal)to keep asking or telling somebody to do something that they do not want to do, in a way that they find annoying
  • He’s still on my back about that money I borrowed.
break the back of something
to finish the largest or most important part of a task
  • I want to break the back of this translation before the weekend.
cover your back
to realize that you may be blamed or criticized for something later and take action to avoid this
  • Get everything in writing in order to cover your back.
get/put somebody’s back up
(informal)to annoy somebody
  • That sort of attitude really gets my back up!
get off somebody’s back
(informal)to stop annoying somebody, for example by criticizing them, or asking them to do something
  • Just get off my back, will you!
have (got) somebody’s back
(North American English, informal)to protect and support somebody
  • Don't worry, I've got your back.
  • I’m loyal and I’ve got your back.
have your back to the wall
(informal)to be in a difficult situation in which you are forced to do something but are unable to make the choices that you would like
  • We had our backs to the wall with no choice but to sell.
have eyes in the back of your head
to be aware of everything that is happening around you, even things that seem difficult or impossible to see
  • You can’t get away with anything in her class. She has eyes in the back of her head.
know somebody/something inside out | know somebody/something like the back of your hand
(informal)to be very familiar with somebody/something
  • This is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my hand.
the last/final straw | the straw that breaks the camel’s back
the last in a series of bad events, etc. that makes it impossible for you to accept a situation any longer
    make a rod for your own back
    to do something that will cause problems for you in the future
      off the back of something
      immediately after something
      • They come into this game off the back of a 1–0 defeat to Chelsea.
      off/on the back of something
      as a result of an achievement or a success
      • The profits growth came on the back of a 26 per cent rise in sales.
      off the back of a lorry
      (British English, informal, humorous)goods that fell off the back of a lorry were probably stolen. People say or accept that they came ‘off the back of a lorry’ to avoid saying or asking where they really came from.
        (flat) on your back
        (informal)in bed because you are ill
        • She's been flat on her back for over a week now.
        • The UK market was flat on its back (= business was very bad).
        a pat on the back (for something/for doing something)
        (informal)praise or approval for something that you have done well
        • He deserves a pat on the back for all his hard work.
        • Give yourself a pat on the back!
        pat somebody/yourself on the back
        (informal)to praise somebody or yourself for doing something well
          push something to the back of your mind
          to try to forget about something unpleasant
          • I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind.
          put your back into something
          to use a lot of effort and energy on a particular task
            the shirt off somebody’s back
            anything that somebody has, including the things they really need themselves, that somebody else takes from them or they are willing to give
            • He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back.
            a stab in the back
            (informal)an act that harms somebody, done by a person they thought was a friend
            • Her refusal to support his campaign was a real stab in the back.
            stab somebody in the back
            to do or say something that harms somebody who trusts you
              turn your back
              to turn so that you are facing in the opposite direction
                turn your back on somebody/something
                to move so that you are standing or sitting with your back facing somebody/something
                • When on stage, try not to turn your back on the audience.
                to reject somebody/something that you have previously been connected with
                • She turned her back on them when they needed her.
                • Some newspapers have turned their backs on discussion and argument.
                • She decided to turn her back on Paris and return home.
                watch your back
                to protect yourself against danger
                • She'd better watch her back if she wants to hold onto the top job.
                (like) water off a duck’s back
                (informal)used to say that something, especially criticism, has no effect on somebody/something
                • I can't tell my son what to do; it's water off a duck's back with him.
                you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours
                (saying)used to say that if somebody helps you, you will help them, even if this is unfair to others

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