on/off one's back
idiom
—used of someone who is always or frequently criticizing or telling a person what to do
He says his wife is always on his back about doing chores around the house.
I wish he would get off my back about my grades
Examples of on/off one's back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This adds comfort on the trail by minimizing weight on one's back but tends to result in slower setup and cramped pyramid-style interiors.
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New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2025
Lifestyle interventions such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol in the evening and avoiding sleeping on one's back have also proven to be helpful.
—USA TODAY, 29 June 2023
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New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2025
Lifestyle interventions such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol in the evening and avoiding sleeping on one's back have also proven to be helpful.
—USA TODAY, 29 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“On/off one's back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%2Foff%20one%27s%20back. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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