to have (got) someone’s back
Idiom

- be ready to protect or defend someone, physically or literally, especially from multiple and/or unseen attackers

- expressing support and/or loyalty to another person

The Cambridge Dictionary

Usage: Informal spoken or written general British and American English — often used by military and police and competitive situations requiring teamwork

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PHRASE ORIGIN

In ancient combat, soldiers would fight with their backs against each other to protect each other from attack from the rear. The expression was first recorded in English in 1685–95.

The phrase in its modern sense came about after World War II in the second half of the 20th century, and since then has become widely used.

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ALTERNATIVE EXPRESSIONS

- “I’ll cover you.”

- “I’ll stand by you.”

- “I’m here for you.”

- “I’m in your corner”

- “I’m just a call away.”

- “You can rely on me.”

- “I HAVE YOUR BACK.”

- “I’m right behind you.”

- “You’re not alone in this.”

- “You have my full support.”

- “I’ll make sure you’re covered.”

- “You can count on me, no matter what.”

- “Let me know if you hit any roadblocks.”

- “Don't worry, I'll handle it if things go south.”

- “Keep me posted, I’m ready to jump in whenever needed.”

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TRUE FRIENDS

“In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends." — John Churton Collins

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." — Walter Winchell

“True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart." — Helen Keller

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SELECTED SYNONYMS

afford sanctuary, buttress, care for, cover, cradle, cushion, defend, guard, HAVE SOMEONE’S BACK, look out for, protect, safeguard, shield, take under one's wing, watch over

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation, say something like:

“Don’t worry if you can’t make the meeting on time, I HAVE YOUR BACK with our powerpoint presentation.”

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Paul Smith
(OWAD-Founder)