get behind phrasal verb (
see also get)
1. if you get behind with a job, payments, rent etc, you do not do or pay as much of it as you should have by a particular time
get behind with
I don’t want to get behind with my work. You can always catch up later if you get behind.2. get behind somebody informal to support someone:
The crowd really got behind them and cheered them on. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
support to say that you agree with a person or idea, and usually help them because you want them to succeed:
We will support your decision. Thanks to everyone who supported us throughout the trial. The tsunami appeal was supported by thousands of people.back to support a person or plan by providing money or practical help – used about governments or other powerful groups:
The £100 million scheme is backed by the British government. The people backing him do not have the interests of the club at heart.endorse to formally and officially say that you support a person, plan, or idea:
Agriculture ministers refused to endorse the Commission's proposals.get behind somebody/something to support a person or plan and help them be successful - used especially about a group of people:
The England fans really got behind the team. I really believe in this initiative, but it was hard to find business people who were willing to get behind it. The police can't do anything unless the public gets behind them.stand up for somebody/something to say that you support someone or something when they are being attacked:
You were the only person who stood up for me at the meeting. He stood up for what he believed in.side with somebody to support one of the people or groups involved in an argument - used especially when you disapprove of this or think it is unfair:
I felt she was siding with her mother rather than standing up for me. The jury often side with the defendant in these situations.hold up to stop something from falling:
These poles hold up the outer part of the tent. His trousers were held up by an old piece of string.prop up to stop something from falling by putting something against it or under it:
The builders have propped up the walls with steel beams.carry to support the weight of someone or something – used about something supporting several people, vehicles etc:
The bridge could only carry up to two cars at a time. The lift can carry up to 12 people.hold to be strong enough to support the weight of someone or something:
Are you sure the branch will hold both of us? She prayed that the roof would hold her weight as she crawled along it.bear literary or technical to hold the weight of something:
The truck did not look strong enough to bear the weight of all those people. a load-bearing walltake somebody's/something's weight to be strong enough to support the weight of someone or something:
His damaged leg would not take his weight. Any large mirrors should have additional support to take their weight. Make sure you choose a pole that will take the weight of your curtains.have support The extreme right-wing parties don’t have much popular support.give (your) support (
also lend (your) support formal)
The American people gave him their enthusiastic support. The naturalist Sir David Attenborough has lent his support to the campaign.pledge/offer (your) support (=say that you will support someone or something) Both the opposition parties pledged full support for the new administration.get/draw support The plan drew wide support from parents.win/gain/attract support Try to win the support of local shopkeepers.enjoy/command support formal (=have support) His views were too extreme to command general support.drum up/rally support (=get people’s support by making an effort) Both sides have been drumming up support through the internet.enlist sb’s support formal (=ask for and get their support) He wrote to the Prime Minister in an attempt to enlist his support.mobilize support (=get people to support something in an active way) Part of their mission was to mobilize popular support for Franco.build (up) support (=increase it) Now he needs to build his support by explaining what he believes in.withdraw support (=no longer support ) He's decided to withdraw his support for the project.public/popular support There seemed to be no popular support for war.widespread/wide/general support There is widespread support for the Government’s proposal.strong support A survey found strong support for the project among hospital staff.massive support We have massive public support.sb’s full support That view deserves the full support of all farmers.whole-hearted/enthusiastic support I want you to know that you have my whole-hearted support.active support (=approval and help) Les, with the active support of his wife Pam, has spent several years compiling a list of the prisoners.unanimous support (=when all members of a group support something) There was nearly unanimous support for the proposal.help the things you do to make it easier or possible for someone to do something:
Now that I’m working, the kids need to give me more help with the housework. The book would never have been finished without his help.assistance help.
Assistance is more formal than
help, and is used especially about people giving official help:
The police are asking the public for their assistance. The project received financial assistance from the government. Thank you very much for your assistance, sir. He set up the business with the assistance of his two sons.aid help.
Aid is more formal than
help, and is used especially about money, food, medicine etc. that is given to countries or people that are in a very bad situation:
Aid is being sent to areas affected by the earthquake. The US spends billions of dollars on aid to developing countries. Another driver stopped and came to his aid.cooperation help – used especially when people, organizations, or countries work together to get things done, and show that they are willing to do this:
a spirit of international cooperation The cooperation of landowners was needed for the plan to succeed.backup extra people, equipment etc that can be used in case people need help:
The officer waited for backup to arrive before making any arrests. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲