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Thread: Back up threats

  1. #1
    kiwiNguyen is offline Newbie
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    Default Back up threats

    "Stop bullying me!"
    "This isn't bullying. Bullies can't back up their threats. I can."

    What does back up mean here?
    Thanks in advance

  2. #2
    emsr2d2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Back up threats

    Quote Originally Posted by kiwiNguyen View Post
    "Stop bullying me!"
    "This isn't bullying. Bullies can't back up their threats. I can."

    What does back up mean here?
    Thanks in advance
    Here, it means to support your words with actions. Bullies are generally said to be "all mouth". They will verbally threaten people with all kinds of things - violence etc, but they rarely actually do what they say they will.

    If someone says "I'm going to shoot you", but they don't have a gun, then they can't back up their threat.
    kiwiNguyen likes this.

  3. #3
    corum is offline Banned
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    Default Re: Back up threats

    Do you know this one:
    walk the talk? That is a link; click on it.

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  4. #4
    TheParser is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Back up threats

    Quote Originally Posted by kiwiNguyen View Post
    "Stop bullying me!"
    "This isn't bullying. Bullies can't back up their threats. I can."

    What does back up mean here?
    Thanks in advance

    ***** NOT A TEACHER *****

    Good morning, KiwiNguyen.

    I think that "back up" in your sentence means something like:

    To actually do what I threaten to do. To have the power to do it.

    Sometimes a bully is all talk. S/he is actually afraid of doing what

    s/he threatens or cannot do it even if s/he wanted to do it.

    The person in your quotation says that his/her warning is REAL. In other

    words, ACTION will follow.

    Have a nice day!
    kiwiNguyen likes this.

  5. #5
    kiwiNguyen is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: Back up threats

    Thank all of you so much for your helpful answers, I am totally understand the phrase now!
    Wish you all have nice day!
    TheParser likes this.

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