ALL meanings of backs
back
B b - noun backs Plural form of back. 1
- noun backs a large tub, vat, or cistern used by dyers, brewers, distillers, etc., to hold liquids. 1
- noun backs a broad-beamed ferryboat hauled across a body of water by a rope or chain. 1
- verb with object backs to support, as with authority, influence, help, or money (often followed by up): to back a candidate; to back up a theory with facts. 1
- verb with object backs to bet on: to back a horse in the race. 1
- verb with object backs to cause to move backward (often followed by up): to back a car. 1
- verb with object backs to furnish with a back: to back a book. 1
- verb with object backs to lie at the back of; form a back or background for: a beach backed by hills. 1
- verb with object backs to provide with an accompaniment: a singer backed by piano and bass. 1
- verb with object backs to get upon the back of; mount. 1
- verb with object backs to write or print on the back of; endorse; countersign. 1
- verb with object backs Carpentry. to attach strips of wood to the upper edge of (a joist or rafter) to bring it to a desired level. 1
- verb with object backs Nautical. to alter the position of (a sail) so that the wind will strike the forward face. to brace (yards) in backing a sail. to reinforce the hold of (an anchor) by means of a smaller one attached to it and dropped farther away. 1
- verb without object backs to go or move backward (often followed by up). 1
- verb without object backs Nautical. (of wind) to change direction counterclockwise (opposed to veer). 1
- adjective backs situated at or in the rear: at the back door; back fence. 1
- adjective backs far away or removed from the front or main area, position, or rank; remote: back settlements. 1
- adjective backs belonging to the past: back files; back issues. 1
- adjective backs in arrears; overdue: back pay. 1
- adjective backs coming or going back; moving backward: back current. 1
- adjective backs Navigation. reciprocal (def 7). 1
- adjective backs Phonetics. (of a speech sound) produced with the tongue articulating in the back part of the mouth, as in either of the sounds of go. 1
- idioms backs back and fill, Nautical. to trim the sails of a boat so that the wind strikes them first on the forward and then on the after side. to change one's opinion or position; vacillate. 1
- idioms backs back and forth, South Midland U.S. to go back and forth, as in running errands or visiting: He spent the day backing and forthing to the post office. to work in an aimless or ineffective way; expend effort with little result. 1
- idioms backs back water, Nautical. to reverse the direction of a vessel. to retreat from a position; withdraw an opinion: I predict that the council will back water on the tax issue. 1
- idioms backs be flat on one's back, to be helpless or beaten: He's flat on his back after a long succession of failures. to be confined to one's bed because of illness. 1
- idioms backs behind one's back, in one's absence; without one's knowledge; treacherously; secretly: I'd rather talk to him about it directly than discuss it behind his back. 1
- idioms backs break someone's back, to cause a person to fail, especially to cause to become bankrupt: His family's extravagance is breaking his back. 1
- idioms backs break the back of, to complete the principal or hardest part of (a project, one's work, etc.): He finally broke the back of the problem. to overcome; defeat: They broke the back of our union. 1
- idioms backs get off one's back, Informal. to cease to find fault with or to disturb someone: The fight started when they wouldn't get off my back. 1
- idioms backs get one's back up, Informal. to become annoyed; take offense: She gets her back up whenever someone mentions her family's influence. 1
- idioms backs get / have / watch someone’s back, Informal. to help and protect someone if necessary, especially in a time of trouble: If he needs anything, I hope he knows I’ve got his back. Also, have got someone's back. 1
- idioms backs have one's back to the wall, to be in a difficult or hopeless situation. 1
- idioms backs in back of, behind: He hid in back of the billboard. What could be in back of his strange behavior? Also, back of. 1
- idioms backs on one's back, Informal. finding fault with or disturbing someone: The boss is always on my back about promptness. 1
- idioms backs pat on the back. pat1 (defs 9, 11). 1
- idioms backs a stab in the back. stab (def 12). 1
- idioms backs stab someone in the back. stab (def 13). 1
- idioms backs turn one's back on, to forsake or neglect: He was unable to turn his back on any suffering creature. to leave behind, as in anger. 1
- noun backs plural of back. 0
- noun backs (England, with the) Backyard of w:University of Cambridge. 0
- verb backs third-person singular simple present indicative form of back. 0