Have One's Back...what does it mean?

[ZarrinPour]

Hi
Could you plaese help me to translate the following sentence?

Rely on help from people who agree with you to win a battle.
They have your back.

the first sentence has clear meaning but i don't understand the second sentence?...Have one's back ,means support someone? am i right?

Thanks in advance.
Regards.

[amigos4]

Hi
Could you plaese help me to translate the following sentence?

Rely on help from people who agree with you to win a battle.
They have your back.

the first sentence has clear meaning but i don't understand the second sentence?...Have one's back ,means support someone? am i right?

Thanks in advance.
Regards.

Hi, ZarrinPour!

Welcome to the forums!

Yes! When someone 'has your back' they are supporting you. In essence, they are keeping others from sneaking up and blindsiding you! "You do what you have to do! We have your back!"

Cheers,
Amigo

[David L.]

In a battle, you are facing forward and in combat with someone. Someone else could come up behind you and put a sword in your back. However, other soldiers who are fighting but further behind you would see this someone coming up behind you and dash over and kill them. So, they are protecting you by watching, covering your back, behind you, where you can't see.

In modern day life, people can talk about you to your detriment, or someone at work intend doing something that would enable them to have an unfair advantage over you for a promotion or something. A friend might hear of this, and tell you, and in that way, 'cover your back' in the business jungle and rat race of life.

Rely on help from people who agree with you to win a battle.
They have your back.
Your sentence takes it further. It is an even more cynical view of the world. It suggests the people who will best cover your back will do so, not out of friendship, but because they agree with what you a fighting for (and perhaps may have a vested interest in your succeeding and winning whatever you are striving to achieve.