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

"To me, it's really exciting. It's not something I've wrestled with, but it's definitely been a thought in the back of my mind as I've been getting on," Staniforth told BBC Sport.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Xiaomi’s 1Q deliveries also fell short of guidance on the back of production switchover to the new SU7 model and softer YU7 sales momentum, they say.

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

It would be interesting to know how SpaceX is using its Cybertrucks, since it wouldn’t seem to need a fleet to transport equipment headed for space in the back of pickup trucks.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

These children, this mother and father, might be ordered to the back of a truck.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• backward