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User_gary Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Back themselves

We probably played some embarrassing cricket and we told the guys to back themselves, not to be afraid and to just go out there and show off their talent.

Could you please explain to me what "back themselves" mean here?

I guess it means "support themselves" though.

source : http://cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/24897/proud-of-the-guys-warne
  

Top answer

I think it means "support themselves" also.

— Hmea1

  • I think it means "support themselves" also.
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5 Answers
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I think it means "support themselves" also.
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User_garyand we told the guys to back themselves,
I've never heard the expression in the US.

I know "Don't back yourself into a corner."
I know "Back each other [up]."

I don't believe that "back yourselves" means "back each other."

I'm sure it means something special, but I've no idea what.
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I also believe it means "support themselves", or "be confident of their own success".
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Mr WordyI also believe it means "support themselves", or "be confident of their own success".
I might agree with the second.
All the sports references on the web seem to be Australian. In the US, we just don't use it that way.
We might say, "Who are you backing for the finals?"
It primarily means, "Who are you betting on?"
But it could mean
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Avangi In the US, we just don't use it that way.
We might say, "Who are you backing for the finals?"
It primarily means, "Who are you betting on?"
But it could mean "Who are you cheering for?"
It's the same in BrE too. "back" is often used to mean "bet on", so "told the guys to back themselves" could mean "bet on themselves". I just assumed that in
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