List of body parts idioms about the human back and their meanings

How the idioms are listed

There are 3 parts to each idioms the first part is what the idiom is, then an explanation of what it means and the last part is an example of how to use it in a sentence.

How do I use the list of human body parts idioms A to Z?

To use the list of idioms click on each letter of the alphabet to get the list of the human body parts idioms for that letter.

[ A ] [ B ] [ C ] [ D ] [ E ] [ F ] [ G ] [ H ] [ I ] [ J ] [ K ] [ L ] [ M ] [ N ] [ O ] [ P ] [ Q ] [ R ] [ S ] [ T ] [ U ] [ V ] [ W ] [ X ] [ Y ] [ Z ]

Click on the links below to view

• Body parts idioms about the throat
• Body parts idioms about bones
• Body parts idioms about sweat
• Body parts idioms about blood
• Body parts idioms about the stomach
• Body parts idioms about the heart
• Body parts idioms about the neck
• Body parts idioms about shoulders
• Body parts idioms about the breathe / breath
• Body parts idioms about the backs

These links are not on the A to z of idioms only on the common animals idioms

Human body parts idioms about backs

(one's) back is against the wall

- one is in a very difficult position

The man's back was against the wall and there was nothing that he could do to change the situation.

back-to-back

- next to each other and touching backs

The students were sitting back-to-back as they exercised in the gym class.

behind (someone`s) back

- without someone's knowledge, secretly, when someone is absent

I do not like people who talk behind my back.

break one`s back (to do something)

- to do all one possibly can, to work very hard to do something

I broke my back trying to help my friend with his project.

cover one's back

- to do something to protect yourself from criticism or future blame

I was very careful to cover my back when dealing with the lawyers.

a crick in one's back

- a painful cramp in one's back

I woke up this morning with a crick in my back.

get off (someone`s) back

- to stop criticizing or nagging someone

I wish that my mother would get off my back about trying to find a better job.

get (someone's) back up

- to make someone become angry

I got my friend's back up when I asked to borrow her notes from school.

give (someone) the shirt off one's back

- to be very generous to someone

My friend is a very generous person and will be happy to give you the shirt off his back.

have one's back to the wall

- to be in a defensive or difficult position

I have my back to the wall at work and I must deal with many problems.

have one's back up against the wall

- to be in a defensive or difficult position

The man has his back up against the wall and may have to quit his job soon.

off one`s back

- to not bother someone, to remove someone or something as an annoyance

I wish my boss would get off my back and stop bothering me.

on (someone`s) back

- constantly criticizing someone, pressuring someone

My sister is always on her daughter's back to clean up her room.

a pat on the back

- praise, congratulations, encouragement

The man was given a pat on the back for his efforts to stop pollution in the river.

put one's back into (something)

- to use great physical or mental energy to do something

We put our backs into trying to move the freezer out of the basement.

scratch (someone`s) back

- to do someone a favor in the hope that they will do something for you

If you scratch the supervisor's back he will help you when you need help.

stab (someone) in the back

- to betray someone

My friend stabbed me in the back although I helped him get a job.

turn one`s back on (someone or something)

- to refuse to help someone who is in trouble or need

The woman turned her back on her friend when the friend asked her for some money.

with both hands tied behind one's back

- easily, even under a severe handicap

I did my science project with both hands tied behind my back.

with one hand tied behind one's back

- easily, even under a severe handicap

The project was hard to manage because I had to operate with one hand tied behind my back.

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

- if you do me a favor then I will do you a favor

"You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," is a common expression in the construction industry.

Lessons that are related to the exercise

To view any of the lessons below click on link.

Idioms human body English lesson

A to Z Idioms - list English phrases

Small List of idioms A - Z English phrases

Dictionary and how to use dictionaries

Click on the following link for the Online English dictionary - English lesson