back into

verb

To advance to the post-season as a result of another team's loss, especially where one's own team has also lost.

“I like to back into parking spots.”

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Meanings

verbback into (third-person singular simple present backs into, present participle backing into, simple past and past participle backed into)

present singular third person backs into · participle present backing into · participle past backed into · past backed into

  1. idiomatichobbiesTo advance to the post-season as a result of another team's loss, especially where one's own team has also lost.

    The 2006 St. Louis Cardinals backed into the playoffs.

  2. idiomatichobbiesTo be forced into a situation by circumstances.

    I didn't have any other options, I was backed into it.

  3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see back, into.

    I like to back into parking spots.

Cite this entry
APA

back into. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20into

MLA

“back into.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20into. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “back into,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20into.

Source: back into on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.