Back and Edge
.Entirely, heartily, tooth and nail, with might and main. The reference is to a wedge driven home to split wood.
“They were working back and edge for me.”—Boldrewood: Robbery under Arms, ch. ii.
To back and fill. A mode of tacking, when the tide is with the vessel and the wind against it. Metaphorically, to be irresolute.
To back out. To draw back from an engagement, bargain, etc., because it does not seem so plausible as you once thought it. Many horses are unwilling to go out of a stable head foremost, and are backed out.
“Octavius backs out; his caution and reserve come to her rescue.”—C. Clarke: Shakespeare.
Back the oars or back water is to row backwards, that the boat may move the reverse of its ordinary direction.
His back is up. He is angry, he shows that he is annoyed. The allusion is to a cat, which sets its back up when attacked by a dog or other animal.
To have his back at the wall. To act on the defensive against odds. One beset with foes tries to get his back against a wall that he may not be attacked by foes behind.
“He planted his back against a wall, in a skilful attitude of fence, ready with his bright glancing rapier to do battle with all the heavy flerce unarmed men, some six or seven in number.”—Mrs. Gaskell: The Poor Clare, iii.
“At length we … turn our backs on the outskirts of civilisation.”—Tristram: Moab, ii. 19.
