backer-up

American  

[bak-er-uhp] / ˈbæk ərˈʌp /

noun

backers-up plural

1. a supporter; backer; second.

2. Football. a linebacker.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• backers-up
  plural

Etymology

Origin of backer-up

1920–25; back up + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

backer-up backers-up

Fortunately for Katherine, his former housekeeper was greedy and extravagant, so that his niece's management seemed wise and economical, and she had an excellent backer-up in Mr. Newton.

From A Crooked Path A Novel by Alexander, Mrs.

He was rather a neat dribbler and good backer-up, but a little slow in tackling.

From Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches by Bone, David Drummond

Ducie is the backer-up against you, and she be to go to her ain folks to-morrow.

From A Reconstructed Marriage by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston

She did not often care to wage battle with Opal herself, but she keenly enjoyed hearing somebody else do it, and was ready to act "backer-up" within limits.

From A Fortunate Term by Brazil, Angela

Michigan's defensive quarterback sometimes called for a four-man line with five backers-up.

From Time Magazine Archive

His two backers-up stood in a corner—half intimidated, half contemptuous of the country people.

From The Marriage of Elinor by Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)

But this proposal by no means suited his ardent backers-up, who looked upon the whole affair as providential, and by no means to be burked.

From Follow My leader The Boys of Templeton by Stacey, W. S. (Walter S.)