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.

---

Example Sentences

I psyched myself up to argue and dialed the customer service number on the back of the bill.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

The company’s popularity picked up over the prior decade on the back of workout wear with comfortable, high-quality stretch fabric and an attention to technical design.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

But, in the back of my head, I think that Welsh fire, that Welsh passion, that little bit of grit - those are also the things that I bring.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

A backlight sufficient to be useful would disturb the laminar flow of air rushing across the rear decklid, increasing shearing turbulence and drag at the back of the car.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Heat spreads up the back of my neck and swells across my scalp, making it prickle.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• backward