back pocket
Americannoun
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a pocket typically placed on the seat of a pair of trousers, jeans, or shorts.
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Sports. a defensive position in Australian Rules football.
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(especially in the phrase in one's back pocket) the state of being in reserve and ready for use when needed.
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(especially in the phrase in one's back pocket) the state of being under the control of a person or organization.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Well, unless Intel has any more announcements in its back pocket, the rally is probably at least on pause for now.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
While I’m keeping the app option in my back pocket for later, we decided to go analog for our first budgeting rodeo by staring down our raw bank statements.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026
But on the course of my long international, interweb journey, I did end up with a new name in my back pocket: Acme Smoked Fish.
From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026
He's not really known for his defending but I thought he shackled Harvey Barnes and put him in his back pocket.
From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026
I let him win twice and left with the fire alarm key in my back pocket.
From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
