- 1[uncountable, countable] extra help or support that you can get if necessary The police had backup from the army. We can use him as a backup if one of the other players drops out. a backup power supply
- 2(computing) [countable] a copy of a file, etc. that can be used if the original is lost or damaged Always make a backup of your work. a backup copy see also back somethingup at back
- 3[countable] a situation in which something is not moving or flowing freely, usually because something is blocking it a traffic backup a toilet backup Topic CollocationsDrivinghaving a car
- have/own a car
- ride a motorcycle/moped/scooter
- drive/use/prefer an automatic/a manual/a stick shift
- have/get your car fixed/repaired/looked at
- buy/sell a used car
- take/pass/fail a driver's test/road test/knowledge test
- get/obtain/have/lose/carry a/your driver's license/learner's permit
- put on/fasten/buckle/wear/undo your seat belt
- put/turn/leave the key in the ignition
- start the car/engine
- change/shift gears
- shift/put the car into gear/neutral/drive/park
- press/put your foot on the brake pedal/clutch/accelerator
- release the clutch/the emergency brake/the parking brake
- drive/park/reverse the car
- signal that you are turning left/right
- take/miss the turn
- apply/hit/slam on the brake(s)
- beep/honk your horn
- a car skids/crashes (into something)/collides (with something)
- swerve to avoid an oncoming car/a pedestrian
- crash/lose control of the car
- have/be in/be killed in/survive a (car) crash/a (car) wreck/an accident/a hit-and-run
- be run over/hit by a car/bus/truck
- dent/hit the hood/trunk/door/side panel/bumper/fender
- break/crack/shatter the windshield
- blow/puncture a tire
- get/have a flat tire
- inflate/change/replace/check a tire
- be caught in/get stuck in/sit in a traffic jam
- cause congestion/traffic jams/gridlock/backups
- experience/face lengthy delays
- beat/avoid the traffic/the rush hour
- exceed/observe/drive the speed limit
- be caught by a speed camera
- stop somebody for/pull somebody over for speeding
- (informal) run a red light/the lights
- be arrested for/charged with drunk driving/driving under the influence (DUI)/driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- be banned from driving
- have your license suspended/taken away/ (informal) pulled
- 4[uncountable] (especially in pop music) music that accompanies the main singer or tune They sang backup for Elvis Presley. backup vocals
Check pronunciation: backup