have your back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have your back' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It means to have someone's support, or protection. For example: "I know I can always count on you to have my back when things get tough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have your back".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Never have your back turned".

The New York Times

And we will have your back.

The New York Times

I have your back, you have mine".

The New York Times

But they're supposed to have your back.

The Guardian - Music

Forget the people who don't have your back.

The New Yorker

"Just don't expect me to have your back anytime soon".

The Guardian - Sport

At the same time, they have your back".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's O.K. to compete, but you don't want to have your coach not have your back.

The New York Times - Sports

My message to the president: Stand and fight, and we will have your back.

The New York Times

Whitaker ended his Op-Ed with the English phrase "We have your back".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have your back" to express unwavering support and commitment to someone, especially in challenging situations or when facing adversity.

Common error

Avoid using "have your back" to imply responsibility for someone's actions. It indicates support, not necessarily agreement or absolution for wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have your back" functions as an idiomatic expression to convey support and protection. As Ludwig AI points out, this expression is a common way to assure someone of your assistance and loyalty, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

27%

Huffington Post

21%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

The Guardian

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "have your back" is a very common and acceptable phrase that signifies unwavering support and protection. As the Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to reassure someone that you are there for them, particularly during challenging situations. Predominantly found in News & Media and informal contexts like wikis and blog posts, the phrase can be used in many cases. Related phrases like "support you" or "stand by you" can be used in similar situations. Remember, as highlighted in the writing guidance, it’s important to use this phrase to indicate support, but not to imply responsibility for someone's actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support you

This alternative is a direct and simple way of saying that someone is on your side.

stand by you

This alternative implies loyalty and unwavering support, especially during difficult times.

defend you

This alternative emphasizes protecting someone from harm or criticism.

protect you

This alternative emphasizes shielding someone from danger or harm.

look out for you

This alternative highlights a proactive approach to ensuring someone's well-being.

be there for you

This alternative focuses on emotional support and availability during challenging times.

cover you

This alternative suggests providing assistance or protection to prevent problems or failures.

watch over you

This alternative implies a sense of guardianship and protection from a distance.

be your advocate

This alternative suggests actively supporting someone's cause or defending their rights.

assist you

This alternative is a formal way of offering help or support.

FAQs

How can I use "have your back" in a sentence?

You can use "have your back" to assure someone of your support and protection. For instance, "Don't worry, I "have your back" on this project."

What's a more formal way to say "have your back"?

More formal alternatives include "support you", "stand by you", or "defend you" depending on the specific context. Consider "We will "support you" throughout this process".

Is it correct to say "have your backs" when referring to a group?

Yes, you can use "have your backs" when addressing a group of people. For example, "We "have your backs", and we'll ensure you have the resources you need."

What's the difference between "have your back" and "watch your back"?

"Have your back" means to support and defend someone, while "watch your back" means to be cautious and aware of potential dangers or threats around you.