diff --git a/Documentation/DocuBlocks/Rest/BackupRestore/post_admin_backup_create.md b/Documentation/DocuBlocks/Rest/BackupRestore/post_admin_backup_create.md
index 496c48c68a..3ea71fcd3c 100644
--- a/Documentation/DocuBlocks/Rest/BackupRestore/post_admin_backup_create.md
+++ b/Documentation/DocuBlocks/Rest/BackupRestore/post_admin_backup_create.md
@@ -28,6 +28,17 @@ acquired within the given timeout, a possibly inconsistent backup
 is taken. The default for this flag is `false` and in this case
 a timeout results in an HTTP 408 error.
 
+@RESTBODYPARAM{force,boolean,optional,boolean}
+If this flag is set to `true` and no global transaction lock can be
+acquired within the given timeout, all running transctions are
+forcefully aborted to ensure that a consistent backup can be created.
+This option is rather brutal and almost certainly not what your application
+is going to like. In the presence of intermediate commits it can even
+destroy the atomicity of your transactions. Use at your own risk, and only
+if you need a consistent backup at all costs. The default and recommended value is `false`. If both
+`allowInconsistent` and `force` are set to `true`, then the latter
+takes precedence and transactions are aborted.
+
 @RESTRETURNCODES
 
 @RESTRETURNCODE{201}
diff --git a/arangosh/Backup/BackupFeature.cpp b/arangosh/Backup/BackupFeature.cpp
index 45355de93c..60550fbbe0 100644
--- a/arangosh/Backup/BackupFeature.cpp
+++ b/arangosh/Backup/BackupFeature.cpp
@@ -736,8 +736,12 @@ void BackupFeature::collectOptions(std::shared_ptr<options::ProgramOptions> opti
                      new BooleanParameter(&_options.abort));
 
   options->addOption("--force",
-                     "abort transactions if needed to ensure a consistent snapshot"
-                     "(create operation)",
+                     "abort transactions if needed to ensure a consistent snapshot."
+                     " (create operation).",
+                     " Note that this is rather brutal and is almost certainly not what your "
+                     "application is going to like. In the presence of intermediate commits using "
+                     "this option can even destroy the atomicity of your transactions. Use at your "
+                     "own risk and only if you really need a consistent backup at all costs."
                      new BooleanParameter(&_options.abortTransactionsIfNeeded));
 #endif
   /*