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Tinanam0102 Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Act up / back up

Hi teachers,

I don't know if it was "act up" or "back up" I heard in a sentence:

The septic tank is acting up

The septic tank is backing up

Which one is correct?

Thanks

TN
  

Top answer

Hi, I don't know if it was "act up" or "back up" I heard in a sentence: The septic tank is acting up This just means it is causing trouble. There is a problem of some kind. The septic tank is backing up This means the outflow pipe or drain is not working, perhaps because it is blocked.

— Clive

  • Hi, I don't know if it was "act up" or "back up" I heard in a sentence: The septic tank is acting up This just means it is causing trouble.
  • There is a problem of some kind.
  • The septic tank is backing up This means the outflow pipe or drain is not working, perhaps because it is blocked.
  • The level in the tank is rising.
  • Which one is correct?
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4 Answers
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Hi,

I don't know if it was "act up" or "back up" I heard in a sentence:

The septic tank is acting up This just means it is causing trouble. There is a problem of some kind.

The septic tank is backing up This means the outflow pipe or drain is not working, perhaps because it is blocked. The
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'Backing up' is by far the more reasonable assumption.
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both are correct. It all depends on what is happening

act up = give problems

back up means it is probably full and stuff is coming out of it--either the ground or the toilet
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Hi Clive, hi Mister Micawber, hi Grammarwannabe,

Thank you for your help.

TN
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