back up

Meaning

To make a copy of digital files, documents, or data and store it in a safe place (like an external hard drive or the cloud) in case the original is lost or damaged. It can be used as a phrasal verb ('back up your files') or as a single-word noun ('create a backup').

Examples

• Make sure you back up your phone before installing the new software update.

  Make sure you back up your phone before installing the new software update.

• I lost all my photos because I forgot to back them up to the cloud.

  I lost all my photos because I forgot to back them up to the cloud.

• Our company backs up all client data on an external server every night.

  Our company backs up all client data on an external server every night.

• It's a good idea to back up your thesis in at least two different places.

  It's a good idea to back up your thesis in at least two different places.

• Don't worry, I backed up the entire project folder before the system crashed.

  Don't worry, I backed up the entire project folder before the system crashed.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to back my computer.

  ✓ I need to back up my computer.

  Using 'back' alone means to move backward or support someone. To save digital data, you must use the complete phrasal verb 'back up'.

• ✗ Did you make a back up?

  ✓ Did you make a backup?

  When used as a noun, it must be written as a single word ('backup'). The two-word form 'back up' is strictly the verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• You should always ___ your work so you don't lose it.

  💡 Two words, phrasal verb meaning to save a copy.

  Show answer

  back up

• I forgot to ___ my photos before my phone broke.

  💡 Phrasal verb for saving files to another location.

  Show answer

  back up