back of

Idioms  

1. Also, at the back of; in back of. Behind; also, supporting. For example, The special brands were stored back of the counter, or “Franklin stood back of me in everything I wanted to do” (Eleanor Roosevelt, quoted by Catherine Drinker Bowen, Atlantic Monthly, March 1970). The first term, dating from the late 1600s, was long criticized as an undesirable colloquialism but today is generally considered acceptable. The variants, at the back of, from about 1400, and in back of, from the early 1900s, also can be used both literally and figuratively and could be substituted for back of in either example. Also see back of beyond.

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Example Sentences

At the back of the arena, a teleprompter keeps her on track, too - which is fair enough, when her album incorporates 14 different languages and dialects.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

With his first pitch of the at-bat, Valdez hit Story with a 94-mph fastball in the numbers on the back of the Red Sox shortstop’s jersey.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

It expects a 2% to 3% decline in organic net sales off the back of weak U.S. and China results.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

To that end, French thinks that any additional gilt wobble on the back of a bad election outcome for Labour may provide an a attractive entry point.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Three women hunched over the machines at a worktable in the back of the room, where a wall of tall windows flooded the space with light.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• backward