questions
Sam was more than happy to tell his tale. He began with how, as a result of the emphysema diagnosis, he’d wound up getting regular oxygen deliveries thanks to THE MEDICAL, and how sometimes the full tanks backed up on him. He told about hearing the explosion, and what he’d seen when he went outside.

Question: What’s the meaning of “back up on”?

Question

questions
Sam was more than happy to tell his tale. He began with how, as a result of the emphysema diagnosis, he’d wound up getting regular oxygen deliveries thanks to THE MEDICAL, and how sometimes the full tanks backed up on him. He told about hearing the explosion, and what he’d seen when he went outside.

Question: What’s the meaning of “back up on”?

Answer

Hello there,
Back up is a phrasal verb. It is when we combine an action (verb) with a preposition (in, on, by, at...). It changes the meaning of the word a little.
Example:
eat up-   it still means to eat, but it means to start eating or eat and enjoy the food.

So, back up is trying to show the air is not going forward (to him), it is going back to the air tank. which isn't good.

I hope this helps,
James

Answers · 2

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