i've got your back

I had an employee who was an outstanding leader and program manager.  Whenever I asked her to accomplish something, she would look me in the eye when she sensed worry or anxiety from me and she would say "I've got your back".  That seemed so personal and it stuck with me.  Today, I told my boss, "I've got your back".  He is on leave and I'm handling some things for him that he didn't think to ask me to handle.  His first thought was to apologize for not giving me a full list of what he needed done...but honestly, that doesn't matter...I've got his back.  ​