To back and fill

To back and fill
Back Back, v. i. 1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. [1913 Webster]

2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; -- used of the wind. [1913 Webster]

3. (Sporting) To stand still behind another dog which has pointed; -- said of a dog. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

{To back and fill}, to manage the sails of a ship so that the wind strikes them alternately in front and behind, in order to keep the ship in the middle of a river or channel while the current or tide carries the vessel against the wind. Hence: (Fig.) To take opposite positions alternately; to assert and deny. [Colloq.]

{To back out}, {To back down}, to retreat or withdraw from a promise, engagement, or contest; to recede. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

Cleon at first . . . was willing to go; but, finding that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to back out. --Jowett (Thucyd. ) [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • To back and fill — Fill Fill, v. i. 1. To become full; to have the whole capacity occupied; to have an abundant supply; to be satiated; as, corn fills well in a warm season; the sail fills with the wind. [1913 Webster] 2. To fill a cup or glass for drinking. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • back and fill — phrasal 1. to manage the sails of a ship so as to keep it clear of obstructions as it floats down with the current of a river or channel 2. to take opposite positions alternately ; shilly shally …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Fill — Fill, v. i. 1. To become full; to have the whole capacity occupied; to have an abundant supply; to be satiated; as, corn fills well in a warm season; the sail fills with the wind. [1913 Webster] 2. To fill a cup or glass for drinking. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Back — Back, v. i. 1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; used of the wind. [1913 Webster] 3. (Sporting) To stand still behind… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • back — back1 backless, adj. /bak/, n. 1. the rear part of the human body, extending from the neck to the lower end of the spine. 2. the part of the body of animals corresponding to the human back. 3. the rear portion of any part of the body: the back of …   Universalium

  • Fill — may refer to:*Fill dirt, soil added to an area. *Fill (music), a short segment of instrumental music. *In textiles, the filling yarn is the same as weft, the yarn which is shuttled back and forth across the warp to create a woven fabric. *In… …   Wikipedia

  • Fill the Cup — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian aid agency. In 2008, WFP plans to feed 73 million people in 78 of the world’s poorest countries. The ‘Fill the Cup’ [ [https://secure.my… …   Wikipedia

  • To fill up — Fill Fill, v. i. 1. To become full; to have the whole capacity occupied; to have an abundant supply; to be satiated; as, corn fills well in a warm season; the sail fills with the wind. [1913 Webster] 2. To fill a cup or glass for drinking. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To back down — Back Back, v. i. 1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; used of the wind. [1913 Webster] 3. (Sporting) To stand still… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To back out — Back Back, v. i. 1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; used of the wind. [1913 Webster] 3. (Sporting) To stand still… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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