What does “back up” mean in this dialog?
It's from a lecture.
Professor: So I wanted to discuss a few other terms here ... actually, some, uh, some ideas about how we manage our resources.
Let’s talk about what that …what that means. If we take a resource like water. ..well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here-back up from the more general case-and talk about underground water in particular.
So hydrogeologists have tried to figure out... how much water can you take out from underground sources? This has been an important question.Let me ask you guys: how much water, based on what you know so far, could you take out of, say, an aquifer... under the city?
I don't understand the phrase "back up" in "maybe we should get a little bit more specific here-back up from the more general case-and talk about underground water in particular.",
does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?
meaning-in-context
asked 2 days ago
JamesJames
61
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add a comment |
It's from a lecture.
Professor: So I wanted to discuss a few other terms here ... actually, some, uh, some ideas about how we manage our resources.
Let’s talk about what that …what that means. If we take a resource like water. ..well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here-back up from the more general case-and talk about underground water in particular.
So hydrogeologists have tried to figure out... how much water can you take out from underground sources? This has been an important question.Let me ask you guys: how much water, based on what you know so far, could you take out of, say, an aquifer... under the city?
I don't understand the phrase "back up" in "maybe we should get a little bit more specific here-back up from the more general case-and talk about underground water in particular.",
does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?
meaning-in-context
asked 2 days ago
JamesJames
61
New contributor
James is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
It's like to back up a car - he is changing his mind about what he wants to talk about, which is a bit like backing up a car after taking a wrong turn.
– Minty
2 days ago
Sounds like Prof realized he'd generalized a little too quickly and literally had to back up his lecture to get a few forgotten, but important facts into play. Only then could he continue properly.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
add a comment |
It's from a lecture.
Professor: So I wanted to discuss a few other terms here ... actually, some, uh, some ideas about how we manage our resources.
Let’s talk about what that …what that means. If we take a resource like water. ..well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here-back up from the more general case-and talk about underground water in particular.
So hydrogeologists have tried to figure out... how much water can you take out from underground sources? This has been an important question.Let me ask you guys: how much water, based on what you know so far, could you take out of, say, an aquifer... under the city?
I don't understand the phrase "back up" in "maybe we should get a little bit more specific here-back up from the more general case-and talk about underground water in particular.",
does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?
meaning-in-context
asked 2 days ago
JamesJames
61
New contributor
James is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It's from a lecture.
Professor: So I wanted to discuss a few other terms here ... actually, some, uh, some ideas about how we manage our resources.
Let’s talk about what that …what that means. If we take a resource like water. ..well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here-back up from the more general case-and talk about underground water in particular.
So hydrogeologists have tried to figure out... how much water can you take out from underground sources? This has been an important question.Let me ask you guys: how much water, based on what you know so far, could you take out of, say, an aquifer... under the city?
I don't understand the phrase "back up" in "maybe we should get a little bit more specific here-back up from the more general case-and talk about underground water in particular.",
does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?
meaning-in-context
meaning-in-context
asked 2 days ago
JamesJames
61
New contributor
James is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
JamesJames
61
New contributor
James is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
James
asked 2 days ago
JamesJames
61
New contributor
James is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 2 days ago
JamesJames
61
asked 2 days ago
JamesJames
61
61
New contributor
James is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
James is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
James is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
It's like to back up a car - he is changing his mind about what he wants to talk about, which is a bit like backing up a car after taking a wrong turn.
– Minty
2 days ago
Sounds like Prof realized he'd generalized a little too quickly and literally had to back up his lecture to get a few forgotten, but important facts into play. Only then could he continue properly.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
add a comment |
3
It's like to back up a car - he is changing his mind about what he wants to talk about, which is a bit like backing up a car after taking a wrong turn.
– Minty
2 days ago
Sounds like Prof realized he'd generalized a little too quickly and literally had to back up his lecture to get a few forgotten, but important facts into play. Only then could he continue properly.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
3
3
It's like to back up a car - he is changing his mind about what he wants to talk about, which is a bit like backing up a car after taking a wrong turn.
– Minty
2 days ago
It's like to back up a car - he is changing his mind about what he wants to talk about, which is a bit like backing up a car after taking a wrong turn.
– Minty
2 days ago
Sounds like Prof realized he'd generalized a little too quickly and literally had to back up his lecture to get a few forgotten, but important facts into play. Only then could he continue properly.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
Sounds like Prof realized he'd generalized a little too quickly and literally had to back up his lecture to get a few forgotten, but important facts into play. Only then could he continue properly.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
From Merriam-Webster's definition of back:
1 : to move backward
// backed into a parking space
—often used with up
// back up to give him some space
// Let's back up a little to clarify what we're saying.
It's the final example sentence that is most relevant to your passage.
To paraphrase and provide alternatives:
Let's move backwards from the more general case.
Let's back away from the more general case.
→ Let's back up from the more general case.
It's being used figuratively, not literally.
You asked, "Does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?"
No, it's the opposite.
Restating the actual sentence, but adding my own emphasis:
If we take a resource like water . . . well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here—back up from the more general case—and talk about underground water in particular.
So, the professor wants to use something less general and more particular. In other words, rather than talking about water as a whole, they want to talk about underground water specifically.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.3k32245
Although it is not an obvious error to use to back up in the way in which it is used in this lecture, and which is explained in this answer, it is more natural to use it for a movement in the opposite direction: away from a detail that one has prematurely concentrated on, to considering its context. Think of a camera backing up from a close-up to reveal its surroundings: one would never characterise a camera's movement in the opposite direction as backing up. It may be that this has contributed to the OP's puzzlement.
– jsw29
2 days ago
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
yesterday
add a comment |
In this paragraph the word Back-up means moving from a wide generalized concept to a small and focused concept to talk about.
In the previous line he talks about water which is the more general concept and then he asks to focus on a more definite idea 'Underground Water'.
answered 2 days ago
Parth ShahParth Shah
174
New contributor
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
so is Back up a phrasal verb? I haven't found the meaning you mentioned in the dictionary, would mind explaining it more, thanks.
– James
2 days ago
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
2 days ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
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votes
active
oldest
votes
From Merriam-Webster's definition of back:
1 : to move backward
// backed into a parking space
—often used with up
// back up to give him some space
// Let's back up a little to clarify what we're saying.
It's the final example sentence that is most relevant to your passage.
To paraphrase and provide alternatives:
Let's move backwards from the more general case.
Let's back away from the more general case.
→ Let's back up from the more general case.
It's being used figuratively, not literally.
You asked, "Does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?"
No, it's the opposite.
Restating the actual sentence, but adding my own emphasis:
If we take a resource like water . . . well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here—back up from the more general case—and talk about underground water in particular.
So, the professor wants to use something less general and more particular. In other words, rather than talking about water as a whole, they want to talk about underground water specifically.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.3k32245
Although it is not an obvious error to use to back up in the way in which it is used in this lecture, and which is explained in this answer, it is more natural to use it for a movement in the opposite direction: away from a detail that one has prematurely concentrated on, to considering its context. Think of a camera backing up from a close-up to reveal its surroundings: one would never characterise a camera's movement in the opposite direction as backing up. It may be that this has contributed to the OP's puzzlement.
– jsw29
2 days ago
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
yesterday
add a comment |
From Merriam-Webster's definition of back:
1 : to move backward
// backed into a parking space
—often used with up
// back up to give him some space
// Let's back up a little to clarify what we're saying.
It's the final example sentence that is most relevant to your passage.
To paraphrase and provide alternatives:
Let's move backwards from the more general case.
Let's back away from the more general case.
→ Let's back up from the more general case.
It's being used figuratively, not literally.
You asked, "Does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?"
No, it's the opposite.
Restating the actual sentence, but adding my own emphasis:
If we take a resource like water . . . well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here—back up from the more general case—and talk about underground water in particular.
So, the professor wants to use something less general and more particular. In other words, rather than talking about water as a whole, they want to talk about underground water specifically.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.3k32245
Although it is not an obvious error to use to back up in the way in which it is used in this lecture, and which is explained in this answer, it is more natural to use it for a movement in the opposite direction: away from a detail that one has prematurely concentrated on, to considering its context. Think of a camera backing up from a close-up to reveal its surroundings: one would never characterise a camera's movement in the opposite direction as backing up. It may be that this has contributed to the OP's puzzlement.
– jsw29
2 days ago
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
yesterday
add a comment |
From Merriam-Webster's definition of back:
1 : to move backward
// backed into a parking space
—often used with up
// back up to give him some space
// Let's back up a little to clarify what we're saying.
It's the final example sentence that is most relevant to your passage.
To paraphrase and provide alternatives:
Let's move backwards from the more general case.
Let's back away from the more general case.
→ Let's back up from the more general case.
It's being used figuratively, not literally.
You asked, "Does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?"
No, it's the opposite.
Restating the actual sentence, but adding my own emphasis:
If we take a resource like water . . . well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here—back up from the more general case—and talk about underground water in particular.
So, the professor wants to use something less general and more particular. In other words, rather than talking about water as a whole, they want to talk about underground water specifically.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.3k32245
From Merriam-Webster's definition of back:
1 : to move backward
// backed into a parking space
—often used with up
// back up to give him some space
// Let's back up a little to clarify what we're saying.
It's the final example sentence that is most relevant to your passage.
To paraphrase and provide alternatives:
Let's move backwards from the more general case.
Let's back away from the more general case.
→ Let's back up from the more general case.
It's being used figuratively, not literally.
You asked, "Does it mean the Professor wants to use something more general to support his point of view?"
No, it's the opposite.
Restating the actual sentence, but adding my own emphasis:
If we take a resource like water . . . well, maybe we should get a little bit more specific here—back up from the more general case—and talk about underground water in particular.
So, the professor wants to use something less general and more particular. In other words, rather than talking about water as a whole, they want to talk about underground water specifically.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.3k32245
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.3k32245
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.3k32245
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
19.3k32245
19.3k32245
Although it is not an obvious error to use to back up in the way in which it is used in this lecture, and which is explained in this answer, it is more natural to use it for a movement in the opposite direction: away from a detail that one has prematurely concentrated on, to considering its context. Think of a camera backing up from a close-up to reveal its surroundings: one would never characterise a camera's movement in the opposite direction as backing up. It may be that this has contributed to the OP's puzzlement.
– jsw29
2 days ago
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
yesterday
add a comment |
Although it is not an obvious error to use to back up in the way in which it is used in this lecture, and which is explained in this answer, it is more natural to use it for a movement in the opposite direction: away from a detail that one has prematurely concentrated on, to considering its context. Think of a camera backing up from a close-up to reveal its surroundings: one would never characterise a camera's movement in the opposite direction as backing up. It may be that this has contributed to the OP's puzzlement.
– jsw29
2 days ago
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
yesterday
Although it is not an obvious error to use to back up in the way in which it is used in this lecture, and which is explained in this answer, it is more natural to use it for a movement in the opposite direction: away from a detail that one has prematurely concentrated on, to considering its context. Think of a camera backing up from a close-up to reveal its surroundings: one would never characterise a camera's movement in the opposite direction as backing up. It may be that this has contributed to the OP's puzzlement.
– jsw29
2 days ago
Although it is not an obvious error to use to back up in the way in which it is used in this lecture, and which is explained in this answer, it is more natural to use it for a movement in the opposite direction: away from a detail that one has prematurely concentrated on, to considering its context. Think of a camera backing up from a close-up to reveal its surroundings: one would never characterise a camera's movement in the opposite direction as backing up. It may be that this has contributed to the OP's puzzlement.
– jsw29
2 days ago
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
yesterday
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
yesterday
add a comment |
In this paragraph the word Back-up means moving from a wide generalized concept to a small and focused concept to talk about.
In the previous line he talks about water which is the more general concept and then he asks to focus on a more definite idea 'Underground Water'.
answered 2 days ago
Parth ShahParth Shah
174
New contributor
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
so is Back up a phrasal verb? I haven't found the meaning you mentioned in the dictionary, would mind explaining it more, thanks.
– James
2 days ago
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
2 days ago
add a comment |
In this paragraph the word Back-up means moving from a wide generalized concept to a small and focused concept to talk about.
In the previous line he talks about water which is the more general concept and then he asks to focus on a more definite idea 'Underground Water'.
answered 2 days ago
Parth ShahParth Shah
174
New contributor
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
so is Back up a phrasal verb? I haven't found the meaning you mentioned in the dictionary, would mind explaining it more, thanks.
– James
2 days ago
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
2 days ago
add a comment |
In this paragraph the word Back-up means moving from a wide generalized concept to a small and focused concept to talk about.
In the previous line he talks about water which is the more general concept and then he asks to focus on a more definite idea 'Underground Water'.
answered 2 days ago
Parth ShahParth Shah
174
New contributor
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
In this paragraph the word Back-up means moving from a wide generalized concept to a small and focused concept to talk about.
In the previous line he talks about water which is the more general concept and then he asks to focus on a more definite idea 'Underground Water'.
answered 2 days ago
Parth ShahParth Shah
174
New contributor
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
Parth ShahParth Shah
174
New contributor
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
Parth ShahParth Shah
174
answered 2 days ago
Parth ShahParth Shah
174
174
New contributor
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Parth Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
so is Back up a phrasal verb? I haven't found the meaning you mentioned in the dictionary, would mind explaining it more, thanks.
– James
2 days ago
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
2 days ago
add a comment |
so is Back up a phrasal verb? I haven't found the meaning you mentioned in the dictionary, would mind explaining it more, thanks.
– James
2 days ago
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
2 days ago
so is Back up a phrasal verb? I haven't found the meaning you mentioned in the dictionary, would mind explaining it more, thanks.
– James
2 days ago
so is Back up a phrasal verb? I haven't found the meaning you mentioned in the dictionary, would mind explaining it more, thanks.
– James
2 days ago
1
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
2 days ago
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
2 days ago
add a comment |
James is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
James is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
James is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
James is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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3
It's like to back up a car - he is changing his mind about what he wants to talk about, which is a bit like backing up a car after taking a wrong turn.
– Minty
2 days ago
Sounds like Prof realized he'd generalized a little too quickly and literally had to back up his lecture to get a few forgotten, but important facts into play. Only then could he continue properly.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago