1. provided support or assistance to prevent failure
Usage: past tense of backstop
2. served as a catcher or barrier to stop something from going too far
Usage: sports context; past tense of backstop

Examples

• The federal government backstopped the failing banks during the crisis.
• Her savings account backstopped her risky investment strategy.
• The experienced manager backstopped the new team’s first major project.
• The fence backstopped any baseballs hit over the diamond.
• Emergency funds backstopped the company’s expansion plans.
• The mentor backstopped the student’s research efforts.