| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| back out |
decide not to do it, change your mind
|
If you sign your name, you can't back out. You have to pay.
|
| back teeth are floating |
have to urinate, need to pee
|
Please watch for a rest room. My back teeth are floating.
|
| back to square one |
back to the first step, start from scratch
|
If you forget to do one of the steps, it's back to square one.
|
| back to the drawing board |
back to the beginning, back to square one
|
If this plan fails, it's back to the drawing board. We start again.
|
| back to the grind |
return to the job, go back to work
|
After New Year's, it's back to the grind - the old routine.
|
| back up |
go backwards, drive in reverse
|
I'll back up the truck so we can load it.
|
| back you |
support your decision, sign your application
|
His brother will back him if he needs financing.
|
| back yourself into a corner |
put yourself in a bad position, have no escape
|
If you buy what you can't afford you back yourself into a corner.
|
| backpack (business) |
support, be the parent company
|
First, GM backpacked Saab. Then they bought the company.
|
| backroom boys |
men who play poker and smoke in a room at the back of the store
|
When the police raided Gino's they arrested four of the backroom boys.
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