backstop
Behind home plate
A backstop is a barrier that prevents something from going too far—originally the fence or screen behind home plate in baseball that stops wild pitches and foul balls.
The meaning extends to any safeguard or fallback: The emergency fund serves as a financial backstop.
To backstop is to provide such protection: The government backstopped the failing banks.
Masked diamond position
- fenceBoundary structure between properties
- nettingInterlaced open fabric
- screenDisplay or barrier
- foulOffensive or illegal
diamond · pitcher · batter · umpire · inning · dugout · bullpen · plate
Alternative if primary fails
- failsafeAutomatic protective default
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- safety netProtection against failure
insurance · protection · backup · precaution · stopgap · reserve · last resort · redundancy
Formal promise of fulfillment
- collateralSecurity for debt
- suretyBacker of obligation
- underwriteAssume financial liability
- indemnityProtection against financial loss
bond · pledge · security · insurance · guarantor · covenant · coverage · liability
Adding support or encouragement
- bolsterStrengthen or buttress
- buttressArchitectural wall reinforcement
- propSupport or stage item
- braceDevice providing structural stability
anchor · foundation · stabilizer · underpinning · mainstay · pillar · backing · shore
catcher
Masked diamond position
foul · diamond · pitcher · batter · umpire · inning · dugout · bullpen · plate · mitt
fallback
Alternative if primary fails
- failsafeAutomatic protective default
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- bufferProtective intermediate space
safety net · insurance · protection · backup · precaution · stopgap · reserve · last resort · redundancy · emergency
guarantee
Formal promise of fulfillment
- collateralSecurity for debt
- suretyBacker of obligation
- underwriteAssume financial liability
indemnity · bond · pledge · security · insurance · guarantor · covenant · coverage · liability · lender
reinforcement
Adding support or encouragement
brace · anchor · foundation · stabilizer · underpinning · mainstay · pillar · backing · shore · strengthen
- Artillery Rangesfiring range, firing ranges, impact zone, impact areas, target area
- Ballparkdiamond, dugout, home plate, infield, outfield
- Ballparksbaseball field, baseball diamond, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium
- catchersreceiver, bug catcher, rat catcher, dog catcher, net
- safety netsrescue net, net, fall protection, failsafe, backup plan
- BrexitBrexit, leave, remain, no deal, Brexiteer
backstopliability
Legal or financial obligation
vulnerability · exposure · weak point · gap · risk