back of

Idioms and Phrases

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

A man asks in one clip, as someone at the back of the lorry gives a thumbs-up.

From BBC

A platinum package could get you a flight, whereas silver might land you a "comfortable ride" in the back of a lorry.

From BBC

“Attempting to run to the back of the kennel, the dog fell repeatedly,” the report said.

From Los Angeles Times

Savill says the use of such a weapon may not have huge military significance but is symbolically important, coming on the back of Russia's revised nuclear doctrine which many see as a lowering of the threshold for the use of such weapons.

From BBC

Wales host the Springboks on the back of a comprehensive defeat against Australia and a first home loss to Fiji.

From BBC