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MrPernickety Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

Sentence correction

Hi,

Let's say, I'm standing beside the counter in a bank, my back against the counter (that is, I'm almost leaning against the counter). Can I describe my position this way:


I'm backed up against the counter.


I would greatly appreciate it, if you gave your own sentences, anything that rolls off your tongues, if mine strikes you as odd.


Thanks!


PS: here's a picture that will give you a ball park idea of what I have in mind.

  

Top answer

Yo MrPernickety Can I describe my position this way: I'm backed up against the counter . You can. Usually though, if you use the expression "backed up against" it implies that you have been forced into that position by, for example, a crowd, or someone rudely walking too close to you, or even by an adversary.

— RayH

  • Yo MrPernickety Can I describe my position this way: I'm backed up against the counter .
  • You can.
  • Usually though, if you use the expression "backed up against" it implies that you have been forced into that position by, for example, a crowd, or someone rudely walking too close to you, or even by an adversary.
  • Here are a couple of alternatives that might be better to describe a voluntary situation (such as the one in the picture): I was standing with my back to the counter...
  • I was facing away from the counter...
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3 Answers
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Yo
MrPernicketyCan I describe my position this way: I'm backed up against the counter.
You can. Usually though, if you use the expression "backed up against" it implies that you have been forced into that position by, for example, a crowd, or someone rudely walking too close to you, or even by an adversary.

Here are a couple of alternatives
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The link didn't work for me, but based on what you said "My back is to the counter" is a good choice.

If you say "I'm backed against" it sounds like you've been forced there, by the crowds, by a tiger in the room, by something other than where and how you choose to stand.
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Thanks, guys !

Yeah, I saw the phrase "I'm backed up against the counter" in a story where a bank robbery was in progress and the thugs herded the people in the bank to the counter so they wouldn't meddle.

Thanks for your examples, sometimes I get stuck for words, when I need to sketch in a simple situation.
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