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

The London-listed group declared a dividend of 21.79 pence a share and announced a larger-than-usual 1.2 billion-pound share buyback program on the back of the U.S. deal.

From The Wall Street Journal

More than 3.5 million doses of spot-on flea treatment, where liquid chemicals are applied to the back of an animal's neck, are sold in the UK each year.

From BBC

The note is predominantly pink and carries images of a blue marlin, dolphins and tuna fish as well as a profile of King Charles III. The back of the vertically designed note combines butterflies, flora, Horseshoe Bay and a boat passing beneath Somerset Bridge.

From BBC

I flip to the back of the book—the inside of the jacket, where Dad’s author photo looks back at me—curly brownish-gray hair, thin-rimmed glasses, serious expression.

From Literature

The spectators rooted for the people at the back of the pack just as much as they shouted for the ones that shot out in front.

From Literature

Related Words

• backward