What is a back?

The back is located at the rear of the body between the shoulders and the hips. The plural is ‘backs’.

back idioms list

Let’s look at some popular body idioms that contain the body part ‘back’.

backbreaking
meaning – physically demanding
example – We’ve done a lot of backbreaking work in the garden. We deserve a beer.
back to back
meaning – next to each other with backs touching
example – I watched all of the season 3 episodes back to back. It was amazing.
behind someone’s back
meaning – without someone’s knowledge/consent
example – The whole class make fun of Jimmy behind his back. They are really nasty.
break one’s back
meaning – work really hard/put in a lot of effort
example – I’m breaking my back trying to arrange our wedding.
get off someone’s back
meaning – stop annoying/bothering someone
example – Sarah should get off Harry’s back. He’ll finish with her if she doesn’t stop being annoying.
get someone’s back up
meaning – make someone angry
example – Tilly is getting everyone’s backs up. It wouldn’t surprise me if she is removed from the panel.
give someone the shirt off one’s back
meaning – a generous person
example – I can always count on my uncle. He’d give me the shirt off his back.
glad to see the back of
meaning – be pleased when someone leaves
example – I’m glad to see the back of winter, it’s been very cold this year.
grow a backbone
meaning – stop being a wimp and stick up for yourself and your beliefs
example – Melody should grow a backbone. She isn’t employed to make the coffees.
have one’s back against the wall
meaning – you are in a difficult situation and have no other options
example – I’m in so much debt, my back is against the wall. The bailiffs are coming tomorrow.

make a rod for one’s own back
meaning – do something now that will cause problems in the future
example – He’s making a rod for his own back by letting his kids play on the tablet all night.
on someone’s back
meaning – constantly criticise/pester/annoy someone
example – The neighbours are on our backs about parking too close to their driveway.
pat on the back
meaning – praise for doing something good
example – Well done class, you all passed the test. Give yourselves a pat on the back.
put one’s back into it
meaning – use a lot of effort/force
example – The jar is a bit tight, put your back into it.
scratch someone’s back
meaning – do someone a favour so they will return the favour one day
example – I’ll drive tonight and you can drink. You’ve scratched my back loads of times.
stab someone in the back
meaning – betray someone
example – I’ll stab my colleagues in the back to get promoted.
sun shines out of someone’s backside
meaning – love/admire someone so much you don’t see their faults
example – The sun doesn’t shine out of his backside, he’s a liar and a cheat.
the straw that broke the camel’s back/the last straw
meaning – the final small thing that causes failure
example – Callum arrived late again. That was the last straw, he was fired immediately.
turn back the hands of time
meaning – rewind time, remember and earlier time
example – I’ll be turning back the hands of time by wearing leg warmers and a shell suit to the party.
turn one’s back on someone
meaning – refuse to help someone in need or stop giving attention to something
example – I turned my back on my law career and bought a farm in the countryside.
watch one’s back
meaning – be careful
example – Aaron needs to watch his back, he’s getting on the wrong side of a lot of people.
water off a duck’s back
meaning – insults, criticism etc. have no effect on a person
example – All the criticism is like water off a duck’s back to Henry. He just tries even harder.