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What does “back up” mean in this dialog?
Usage of “for” in this passageWhat is meaning of “Sulking though”?What does “the look of” mean in this context?What does “plough” mean in this context (“they would plough you”)?What does “dangling off turrets” mean here?What does “the lowest common denominator” mean in the context other than math?What can back room mean related to security?What does Obama mean in this interview?What does “I can say it or I can eat it” mean?What's the 'safe' that Hemingway refer to in his short story After the Storm?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
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 Mar 29 at 7:42
JamesJames
61
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 Mar 29 at 7:42
JamesJames
61
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
Mar 29 at 7:57
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
Mar 30 at 1:54
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 Mar 29 at 7:42
JamesJames
61
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 Mar 29 at 7:42
JamesJames
61
asked Mar 29 at 7:42
JamesJames
61
edited Mar 29 at 7:50
James
asked Mar 29 at 7:42
JamesJames
61
asked Mar 29 at 7:42
JamesJames
61
asked Mar 29 at 7:42
JamesJames
61
61
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
Mar 29 at 7:57
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
Mar 30 at 1:54
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
Mar 29 at 7:57
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
Mar 30 at 1:54
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
Mar 29 at 7:57
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
Mar 29 at 7:57
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
Mar 30 at 1:54
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
Mar 30 at 1:54
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 Mar 29 at 15:02
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
21.8k32754
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
Mar 30 at 4:00
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
Mar 30 at 7:04
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 Mar 29 at 8:17
Parth ShahParth Shah
616
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
Mar 29 at 10:23
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
Mar 29 at 17:01
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
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 Mar 29 at 15:02
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
21.8k32754
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
Mar 30 at 4:00
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
Mar 30 at 7:04
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 Mar 29 at 15:02
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
21.8k32754
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
Mar 30 at 4:00
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
Mar 30 at 7:04
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 Mar 29 at 15:02
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
21.8k32754
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 Mar 29 at 15:02
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
21.8k32754
answered Mar 29 at 15:02
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
21.8k32754
answered Mar 29 at 15:02
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
21.8k32754
answered Mar 29 at 15:02
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
21.8k32754
21.8k32754
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
Mar 30 at 4:00
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
Mar 30 at 7:04
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
Mar 30 at 4:00
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
Mar 30 at 7:04
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
Mar 30 at 4:00
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
Mar 30 at 4:00
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
Mar 30 at 7:04
Jason Bassford, thank you for your precise answer.
– James
Mar 30 at 7:04
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 Mar 29 at 8:17
Parth ShahParth Shah
616
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
Mar 29 at 10:23
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
Mar 29 at 17:01
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 Mar 29 at 8:17
Parth ShahParth Shah
616
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
Mar 29 at 10:23
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
Mar 29 at 17:01
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 Mar 29 at 8:17
Parth ShahParth Shah
616
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 Mar 29 at 8:17
Parth ShahParth Shah
616
answered Mar 29 at 8:17
Parth ShahParth Shah
616
answered Mar 29 at 8:17
Parth ShahParth Shah
616
answered Mar 29 at 8:17
Parth ShahParth Shah
616
616
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
Mar 29 at 10:23
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
Mar 29 at 17:01
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
Mar 29 at 10:23
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
Mar 29 at 17:01
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
Mar 29 at 10:23
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
Mar 29 at 10:23
1
1
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
Mar 29 at 17:01
“back up” doesn’t mean that- the sentence means that.
– Jim
Mar 29 at 17:01
add a comment |
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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
Mar 29 at 7:57
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
Mar 30 at 1:54