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
NetApp — The tech company declined 15.6% on the back of NetApp’s softer-than-expected revenue print for its fiscal third quarter.
—
Pia Singh, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Darius Rucker Is 'Still Laughing' About Fans Asking Friend Woody Harrelson to Take Their Picture
Harrelson was then chatting with Bruce Hornsby, who sat on the back of his chair, and Harrelson followed suit, taking a seat.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
David Ricks, Eli Lilly’s chief executive officer, told CNN that the company – whose revenue grew 32% to $45 billion last year on the back of its diabetes and weight loss drugs – wanted to create more manufacturing capacity and add redundancy to strengthen its supply chain.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Jacqueline Kennedy leans over the president as Secret Service agent Clinton Hill rides on the back of the car.
—CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025
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Pia Singh, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Darius Rucker Is 'Still Laughing' About Fans Asking Friend Woody Harrelson to Take Their Picture
Harrelson was then chatting with Bruce Hornsby, who sat on the back of his chair, and Harrelson followed suit, taking a seat.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
David Ricks, Eli Lilly’s chief executive officer, told CNN that the company – whose revenue grew 32% to $45 billion last year on the back of its diabetes and weight loss drugs – wanted to create more manufacturing capacity and add redundancy to strengthen its supply chain.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Jacqueline Kennedy leans over the president as Secret Service agent Clinton Hill rides on the back of the car.
—CBS News, 24 Feb. 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 6 Mar. 2025.
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