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
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Only one Test has resulted in a draw since Stokes and McCullum joined forces on the back of a particularly turgid period during which England had won only one game in 17 under a far more conservative management duo of skipper Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood.
—
Paul Newman, New York Times, 12 July 2025
For some subtle sculpting, consider warming the product up on the back of your hand before going in with a makeup brush or beauty sponge.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 12 July 2025
The film soars on the back of his performance, along with Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Their stocks average advances of 1.3% and 1.1%, respectively, on the back of their quarterly releases.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 11 July 2025
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Paul Newman, New York Times, 12 July 2025
For some subtle sculpting, consider warming the product up on the back of your hand before going in with a makeup brush or beauty sponge.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 12 July 2025
The film soars on the back of his performance, along with Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Their stocks average advances of 1.3% and 1.1%, respectively, on the back of their quarterly releases.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 11 July 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 21 Jul. 2025.
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