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
Miner and bank stocks have been central to the rally, with the materials subindex doubling on the back of rallies in gold, silver, copper and palladium.
—
Stephanie Hughes, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
The boot features a small gold emblem of the brand’s logo on the back of the heel.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025
Nike built a golf division on the back of Woods that peaked at $792 million in revenue in 2013.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 30 Dec. 2025
To prevent earlobe pain and stretching from heavy earrings, use a small piece of adhesive bandage on the back of the earlobe.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the back of
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Stephanie Hughes, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
The boot features a small gold emblem of the brand’s logo on the back of the heel.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025
Nike built a golf division on the back of Woods that peaked at $792 million in revenue in 2013.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 30 Dec. 2025
To prevent earlobe pain and stretching from heavy earrings, use a small piece of adhesive bandage on the back of the earlobe.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 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 8 Jan. 2026.
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