backnoun
lưng, về phía sau, trở lại
/bak/Related words and phrases
Idioms
at/in the back of your mindif a thought, etc. is at the back of your mind, you are aware of it but it is not what you are mainly thinking about
At the back of my mind was a small, warning voice, telling me it was wrong.The problem was always at the back of my mind. somebody's back is turnedwhen somebody's back is turned they are not present and not able to see what is happening
Officers are ready to issue a parking ticket as soon as a driver's back is turned. the back of beyond(informal)a place that is a long way from other houses, towns, etc.
We stayed in some farmhouse in the back of beyond. (on the) back of an envelopeused to talk about planning or calculating something in a way that is not detailed, exact or complete
We added up our savings on the back of an envelope.back-of-the-envelope calculations back to backif two people stand or sit back to back, they stand or sit with their backs facing or touching each other
The children sat back to back so they couldn't see each others' drawings.if two or more things happen back to back, they happen one after the other
The team had to play three games back to back. back to frontif you put on a piece of clothing back to front, you make a mistake and put the back where the front should be
I think you've got that sweater on back to front. be glad, etc. to see the back of somebody/something(informal, especially British English)to be happy that you will not have to deal with or see somebody/something again because you do not like them or it
Was I pleased to see the back of her!I can’t wait to see the back of that old car. behind somebody’s backwithout somebody’s knowledge or permission
Have you been talking about me behind my back?They went ahead and sold it behind my back.People say bad things about him behind his back, but never to his face. be on somebody’s back(informal)to keep asking or telling somebody to do something that they do not want to do, in a way that they find annoying
He’s still on my back about that money I borrowed. break the back of somethingto finish the largest or most important part of a task
I want to break the back of this translation before the weekend. cover your backto realize that you may be blamed or criticized for something later and take action to avoid this
Get everything in writing in order to cover your back. get/put somebody’s back up(informal)to annoy somebody
That sort of attitude really gets my back up! get off somebody’s back(informal)to stop annoying somebody, for example by criticizing them, or asking them to do something
Just get off my back, will you! have (got) somebody’s back(North American English, informal)to protect and support somebody
Don't worry, I've got your back.I’m loyal and I’ve got your back. have your back to the wall(informal)to be in a difficult situation in which you are forced to do something but are unable to make the choices that you would like
We had our backs to the wall with no choice but to sell. have eyes in the back of your headto be aware of everything that is happening around you, even things that seem difficult or impossible to see
You can’t get away with anything in her class. She has eyes in the back of her head. know somebody/something inside out | know somebody/something like the back of your hand(informal)to be very familiar with somebody/something
This is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my hand. the last/final straw | the straw that breaks the camel’s backthe last in a series of bad events, etc. that makes it impossible for you to accept a situation any longer
make a rod for your own backto do something that will cause problems for you in the future
off the back of somethingimmediately after something
They come into this game off the back of a 1–0 defeat to Chelsea. off/on the back of somethingas a result of an achievement or a success
The profits growth came on the back of a 26 per cent rise in sales. off the back of a lorry(British English, informal, humorous)goods that fell off the back of a lorry were probably stolen. People say or accept that they came ‘off the back of a lorry’ to avoid saying or asking where they really came from.
(flat) on your back(informal)in bed because you are ill
She's been flat on her back for over a week now.The UK market was flat on its back (= business was very bad). a pat on the back (for something/for doing something)(informal)praise or approval for something that you have done well
He deserves a pat on the back for all his hard work.Give yourself a pat on the back! pat somebody/yourself on the back(informal)to praise somebody or yourself for doing something well
push something to the back of your mindto try to forget about something unpleasant
I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind. put your back into somethingto use a lot of effort and energy on a particular task
the shirt off somebody’s backanything that somebody has, including the things they really need themselves, that somebody else takes from them or they are willing to give
He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back. a stab in the back(informal)an act that harms somebody, done by a person they thought was a friend
Her refusal to support his campaign was a real stab in the back. stab somebody in the backto do or say something that harms somebody who trusts you
turn your backto turn so that you are facing in the opposite direction
turn your back on somebody/somethingto move so that you are standing or sitting with your back facing somebody/something
When on stage, try not to turn your back on the audience.to reject somebody/something that you have previously been connected with
She turned her back on them when they needed her.Some newspapers have turned their backs on discussion and argument.She decided to turn her back on Paris and return home. watch your backto protect yourself against danger
She'd better watch her back if she wants to hold onto the top job. (like) water off a duck’s back(informal)used to say that something, especially criticism, has no effect on somebody/something
I can't tell my son what to do; it's water off a duck's back with him. you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours(saying)used to say that if somebody helps you, you will help them, even if this is unfair to others