on the back of
idiom
1
: because of or on the strength of (something)
Profits have increased on the back of improved international sales.
2
disapproving
: by using the efforts of (other people)
The company has achieved record profits on the back of cheap labor.
Examples of on the back of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul [Tallis], who was a pup in the movie, took me on the back of his bike to Cambridge Pride.
—
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 16 Dec. 2025
Citi analysts expect prices of the red metal to skyrocket on the back of stronger demand led by the energy transition and artificial intelligence sectors.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
This time around, there will be three training sessions in Adelaide on the back of a mini getaway in Noosa, on southern Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where England spent plenty of time on the beach and, of course, managed to fit in a game of golf or two.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2025
The clip ended with Campbell in a squad car and his pink dirt bike on the back of a tow truck.
—Stephanie Murray, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the back of
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David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 16 Dec. 2025
Citi analysts expect prices of the red metal to skyrocket on the back of stronger demand led by the energy transition and artificial intelligence sectors.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
This time around, there will be three training sessions in Adelaide on the back of a mini getaway in Noosa, on southern Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where England spent plenty of time on the beach and, of course, managed to fit in a game of golf or two.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2025
The clip ended with Campbell in a squad car and his pink dirt bike on the back of a tow truck.
—Stephanie Murray, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the back of
Cite this Entry
“On the back of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20back%20of. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
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