backup
backup — noun
1. extra help, a second person or thing, or a spare arrangement kept ready when the
extra help, a second person or thing, or a spare arrangement kept ready when the first choice cannot do the job
We kept a paper map in the car as backup.
pattern: as backup
Mina asked her cousin to stay nearby for backup.
pattern: for backup
The hotel keeps a generator as backup for summer storms.
When the first speaker lost her voice, Eva was the backup.
- support
broader and often more continuous, not only for emergencies or second choice.
- reinforcement
often means extra people sent to strengthen a group, especially police or military.
- reserve
stresses something kept ready in advance.
- substitute
focuses on replacing someone or something directly.
文法句型
as backup
for backup
call for backup
backup plan
用法筆記
Often appears in patterns like as backup, for backup, and backup plan. Distinguish from sense 3, which is only for a reserve player in sport.
常見錯誤
2. a separate saved version of digital files or other computer material, kept so yo
a separate saved version of digital files or other computer material, kept so you can recover the original after it disappears or stops working properly
Please keep a backup on the cloud and one on disk.
keep a backup
After the crash, Ben restored the photos from a backup.
restore from a backup
The lab makes a fresh backup every Friday night.
Without a backup, the lost report was gone forever.
- original
the first working version rather than the safety copy.
文法句型
make a backup
keep a backup
restore from a backup
backup of files
用法筆記
Usually talks about files, photos, records, systems, or whole devices, and often appears with make, keep, restore, or store. Distinguish from verb sense 2, which names the action of copying the data.
常見錯誤
3. a team member who joins the game when a regular player cannot play
a team member who joins the game when a regular player cannot play
Our backup scored twice after the captain hurt her ankle.
backup as substitute player
The coach praised the backup for staying ready all season.
By noon, the backup had learned he would start tonight.
Fans cheered when the backup ran onto the wet field.
- substitute
the most general word for a player who replaces another.
- reserve
stresses that the player waits ready on the side.
- alternate
more common in some sports or formal team lists.
- starter
the player who normally begins the game.
文法句型
the backup starts
backup goalkeeper
backup quarterback
backup comes on
用法筆記
Mostly used in sports and team games. Distinguish from sense 1, where backup can mean any extra help or second plan.
4. a line of traffic, people, or other moving things that grows behind a place wher
a line of traffic, people, or other moving things that grows behind a place where movement has slowed or stopped
A backup on Route 8 stretched past the bridge.
traffic report pattern: a backup on
Morning rain caused a long backup outside the tunnel.
cause a backup
There was a backup at airport security before dawn.
The broken truck created a backup near the market exit.
- jam
common everyday word, especially for road traffic.
- bottleneck
focuses on the narrow point causing the problem.
- congestion
more formal and often used for traffic or crowding in general.
文法句型
a backup on the highway
a backup at security
cause a backup
traffic backup
用法筆記
Most common in North American traffic reports and news writing. It often names a line of cars or people behind a blocked point, unlike verb sense 1, which describes the movement slowing itself.
backup — adjective
1. used for singers, dancers, musicians, or similar performers who support the main
used for singers, dancers, musicians, or similar performers who support the main act instead of leading it
Jade sang backup vocals during the final chorus.
collocation: backup vocals
The band hired two backup dancers for the tour.
backup + performer noun
A backup guitarist waited beside the stage curtain.
During rehearsals, Omar learned both the lead and backup vocal parts.
- supporting
broader word for a non-leading role in performance or acting.
- accompanying
often stresses playing or singing along with the lead.
- secondary
describes lower importance, but it is less specific to stage performance.
- lead
describes the main singer, actor, or performer.
文法句型
backup singer
backup dancer
backup vocals
backup guitarist
用法筆記
Used before nouns such as singer, dancer, vocalist, guitarist, or band. It describes a supporting stage role, not the noun senses about spare help or reserve plans.
常見錯誤
backup — verb
1. to build up because movement ahead has slowed, stopped, or been blocked
to build up because movement ahead has slowed, stopped, or been blocked
Cars can backup near the bridge after school ends.
intransitive traffic use
If the drain blocks, dirty water may backup overnight.
water backups because of blockage
After the crash, trucks began to backup for miles.
When one gate closes, passengers backup along the hall.
- clear
means the traffic, water, or crowd begins moving normally again.
文法句型
traffic backups
water backups
backup for miles
backup along the road
用法筆記
More often written as two words, back up, in edited English. Subjects are usually traffic, water, people, or other things delayed by a blockage.
常見錯誤
2. to create a safety copy of digital material so it can still be used later if the
to create a safety copy of digital material so it can still be used later if the original is gone or damaged
Please backup the class photos before you reset the tablet.
backup + files or photos
To avoid data loss, staff backup orders every afternoon.
routine computer action
Before the move, Ken must backup the office laptop files.
Without time to backup the server, Amir postponed the update.
文法句型
backup files
backup photos
backup to the cloud
backup before updating
用法筆記
More often written as two words, back up, in edited English. The object is usually digital material such as files, photos, records, or a whole device. Distinguish from noun sense 2, which names the saved copy itself.