单词

back

释义

back

noun

/bæk/

Idioms

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part of body

enlarge image

the part of the human body that is on the opposite side to the chest, between the neck and the tops of the legs; the part of an animal’s body that corresponds to this

on your back He was lying on his back on the sofa.
Do you sleep on your back or your front?
with your back to somebody/something She was standing with her back to the camera so you can't see her face.
behind your back They had their hands tied behind their backs.
at your back They set off with the wind at their backs (= behind them).
your lower/upper back
in your/the back I have a nagging pain in my lower back.
Most of the victims were shot in the back.
a bad (= painful) back
I pulled (= injured the muscles in) my back playing squash.
She was laid up with severe back pain.
A small boy rode on the elephant's back.

Collocations Physical appearancePhysical appearance

A person may be described as having:

Eyes

(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyes
piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes

Face

a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
a straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nose
full/thick/thin/pouty lips
dry/chapped/cracked lips
flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
a large/high/broad/wide/sloping forehead
a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
a long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee beard
a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache

Hair and skin

pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
deep/fine/little/facial wrinkles
blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(British English) ginger/grey hair
straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
a bald/balding/shaved head
a receding hairline
a bald patch/spot
a side/centre(British English) parting

Body

a long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neck
broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
a flat/swollen/bulging stomach
a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
big/wide/narrow/slim hips
a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
thin/slender/muscular arms
big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
long/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
muscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighs
big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
a good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figure
be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build

part furthest from front

[usually singular] the part or area of something that is furthest from the front

She was hit on the back of the head.
He kicked the ball straight into the back of the net.
The man was refusing to go to the back of the queue.
at the back The house has three bedrooms at the front and two at the back.
We could only get seats at the back (= of a room).
in the back (British English) There's room for three people in the back (= of a car, etc.).
in back (North American English) There's room for three people in back.
around the back Come around the back (= to the area behind the house) and I'll show you the garden.

see also hardback, paperback, short back and sides

Which Word? at the back / at the rear / behindat the back / at the rear / behind

At the back and at the rear have a similar meaning, but at the rear is used more in formal or official language:
- What’s that at the back of the fridge?
- Smoking is only allowed at the rear of the aircraft.
It is more usual to talk about the back door of a house but the rear exit of an aircraft or public building. If something is behind something else it is near to the back of it but not part of it. Compare:
- Our room was at the back of the hotel
and
- There’s a lovely wood just behind our hotel
.

Extra Examples

He was shot in the back of the knee.
I found some old photos at the back of the drawer.
They were sitting in the back of the truck.
My money's all fallen down the back of the cushion.
The cup had been pushed to the back of the cupboard.
Two passengers sat in the back of the car.

Oxford Collocations Dictionarypreposition

around back
around the back
round the back
…

phrases

back to front

See full entry

of piece of paper

[usually singular] the part of a piece of paper, etc. that is on the opposite side to the one that has information or the most important information on it

on the back Take a card and write your name on the back.
on the back of something He scribbled some figures on the back of an envelope.

of book

[usually singular] the last few pages of a book, etc.

at the back (of something) The television guide is at the back of the paper.
in the back (of something) The answer key is in the back of the book.
towards the back (of something) The article I mentioned is in that magazine—towards the back I think.
The arts page is usually towards the back of the newspaper.

of chair

enlarge image

the part of a chair, etc. against which you lean your back

-backed

(in adjectives) used to describe furniture that has the type of back mentioned

a high-backed sofa

in sport

(in some sports) a player whose main role is to defend their team’s goal compare forward see also full back, half back

Word OriginOld English bæc, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch and Old Norse bak. The adverb use dates from late Middle English and is a shortening of aback.

Idioms

at/in the back of your mind

if a thought, etc. is at the back of your mind, you are aware of it but it is not what you are mainly thinking about
- At the back of my mind was a small, warning voice, telling me it was wrong.
- The problem was always at the back of my mind.

somebody's back is turned

when somebody's back is turned they are not present and not able to see what is happening
- Officers are ready to issue a parking ticket as soon as a driver's back is turned.

the back of beyond

(informal) a place that is a long way from other houses, towns, etc.
- We stayed in some farmhouse in the back of beyond.

(on the) back of an envelope

used to talk about planning or calculating something in a way that is not detailed, exact or complete
- We added up our savings on the back of an envelope.
- back-of-the-envelope calculations

back to back

if two people stand or sit back to back, they stand or sit with their backs facing or touching each other
- The children sat back to back so they couldn't see each others' drawings.
see also back-to-back
if two or more things happen back to back, they happen one after the other
- The team had to play three games back to back.

back to front (British English)

(North American English backwards)

if you put on a piece of clothing back to front, you make a mistake and put the back where the front should be
- I think you've got that sweater on back to front.
compare inside out

be glad, etc. to see the back of somebody/something

(informal, especially British English) to be happy that you will not have to deal with or see somebody/something again because you do not like them or it
- Was I pleased to see the back of her!
- I can’t wait to see the back of that old car.

behind somebody’s back

without somebody’s knowledge or permission
- Have you been talking about me behind my back?
- They went ahead and sold it behind my back.
- People say bad things about him behind his back, but never to his face.
compare to somebody’s face

be on somebody’s back

(informal) to keep asking or telling somebody to do something that they do not want to do, in a way that they find annoying
- He’s still on my back about that money I borrowed.

break the back of something

to finish the largest or most important part of a task
- I want to break the back of this translation before the weekend.

cover your back (informal)

(North American English also cover your ass taboo, slang)

to realize that you may be blamed or criticized for something later and take action to avoid this
- Get everything in writing in order to cover your back.

get/put somebody’s back up

(informal) to annoy somebody
- That sort of attitude really gets my back up!

get off somebody’s back

(informal) to stop annoying somebody, for example by criticizing them, or asking them to do something
- Just get off my back, will you!

have (got) somebody’s back

(North American English, informal) to protect and support somebody
- Don't worry, I've got your back.
- I’m loyal and I’ve got your back.

have your back to the wall

(informal) to be in a difficult situation in which you are forced to do something but are unable to make the choices that you would like
- We had our backs to the wall with no choice but to sell.

have eyes in the back of your head

to be aware of everything that is happening around you, even things that seem difficult or impossible to see
- You can’t get away with anything in her class. She has eyes in the back of her head.

know somebody/something inside out | know somebody/something like the back of your hand

(informal) to be very familiar with somebody/something
- This is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my hand.

the last/final straw | the straw that breaks the camel’s back

the last in a series of bad events, etc. that makes it impossible for you to accept a situation any longer

make a rod for your own back

to do something that will cause problems for you in the futureTopics Difficulty and failurec2

off the back of something (informal)

immediately after something
- They come into this game off the back of a 1–0 defeat to Chelsea.

off/on the back of something

as a result of an achievement or a success
- The profits growth came on the back of a 26 per cent rise in sales.
Topics Successc2

off the back of a lorry

(British English, informal, humorous) goods that fell off the back of a lorry were probably stolen. People say or accept that they came ‘off the back of a lorry’ to avoid saying or asking where they really came from.

(flat) on your back

(informal) in bed because you are ill
- She's been flat on her back for over a week now.
- (figurative) The UK market was flat on its back (= business was very bad).

a pat on the back (for something/for doing something)

(informal) praise or approval for something that you have done well
- He deserves a pat on the back for all his hard work.
- Give yourself a pat on the back!

pat somebody/yourself on the back

(informal) to praise somebody or yourself for doing something well

push something to the back of your mind

to try to forget about something unpleasant
- I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind.

put your back into something

to use a lot of effort and energy on a particular task

the shirt off somebody’s back

anything that somebody has, including the things they really need themselves, that somebody else takes from them or they are willing to give
- He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back.

a stab in the back

(informal) an act that harms somebody, done by a person they thought was a friend
- Her refusal to support his campaign was a real stab in the back.

stab somebody in the back

to do or say something that harms somebody who trusts you synonym betray

turn your back

to turn so that you are facing in the opposite direction

turn your back on somebody/something

to move so that you are standing or sitting with your back facing somebody/something
- When on stage, try not to turn your back on the audience.
to reject somebody/something that you have previously been connected with
- She turned her back on them when they needed her.
- Some newspapers have turned their backs on discussion and argument.
- She decided to turn her back on Paris and return home.

watch your back

to protect yourself against danger
- She'd better watch her back if she wants to hold onto the top job.

(like) water off a duck’s back

(informal) used to say that something, especially criticism, has no effect on somebody/something
- I can't tell my son what to do; it's water off a duck's back with him.

you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours

(saying) used to say that if somebody helps you, you will help them, even if this is unfair to others

back

adjective

/bæk/

[only before noun]Idioms

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away from front

located behind or at the back of something

We were sitting in the back row
the back garden (= behind the house)
a back room (= one at the back of a building)
My phone's in my back pocket.
back teeth
the back page of a newspaper
We drove along miles of twisty back roads (= away from the main roads).

compare front

from past

of or from a past time

a back issue of the magazine

owed

owed for a time in the past

back pay/taxes/rent

phonetics

(phonetics) (of a vowel) produced with the back of the tongue in a higher position than the front, for example /ɑː/ in English compare central, front

Word OriginOld English bæc, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch and Old Norse bak. The adverb use dates from late Middle English and is a shortening of aback.

Idioms

on the back burner

(informal) (of an idea, a plan, etc.) left for the present time, to be done or considered later see also back-burner compare on the front burner

(put/catch somebody) on the back foot

(to put somebody) at a disadvantage or in difficulty
- Advances in drone technology have caught lawmakers on the back foot.
- The side that’s on the back foot, struggling to defend, will usually give away more penalties.
- We'd like to put the fossil fuel industry on the back foot.
opposite on the front foot

back

adverb

/bæk/

For the special uses of back in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example pay somebody back is in the phrasal verb section at pay.Idioms

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as before

to or into the place, condition, situation or activity where somebody/something was before

When is he coming back to work?
He'll be back on Monday.
Don't forget to bring it back when you've finished with it.
Please give me my ball back.
Put the book back on the shelf.
Could you go back to the beginning of the story?
She woke up briefly and then went back to sleep.
I can't wait to get back home.
It takes me an hour to walk there and back.
We were right back where we started, only this time without any money.
It's good to have the whole family back together again.

away from front

away from the front or centre; behind you

I moved back to let them pass.
Sit back and relax.
You've combed your hair back.
He turned and looked back.
She fell back towards the end of the race.

opposite forward

at a previous place

at a place previously left or mentioned

We should have turned left five kilometres back.
Back at home, her parents were worried.

in return

in return or reply

She's a tough kid, who, when attacked, fights back hard.
If he hits me, I'll hit him back.
Could you call back later, please?

at a distance

at a distance away from something

The barriers kept the crowd back.
Stand back and give me some room.

in past

in or into the past; ago

The cathedral dates back to 1123.
The village has a history going back to the Middle Ages.
She left back in November.
That was a few years back.

under control

under control; prevented from being expressed or coming out

He could no longer hold back his tears.

fashionable again

Beards are back.
I wonder if flares will ever come back in?

Word OriginOld English bæc, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch and Old Norse bak. The adverb use dates from late Middle English and is a shortening of aback.

Idioms

back and forth

from one place to another and back again repeatedly
- ferries sailing back and forth between the islands

back in the day

in the past
- My dad's always talking about how great everything was back in the day.

back in the days

at a particular time in the past
- I was a fan back in the days when the band wasn't yet famous.

back of something

(North American English, informal) behind something
- the houses back of the church

back to square one

a return to the situation you were in at the beginning of a project, task, etc., because you have made no real progress
- If this suggestion isn't accepted, we'll be back to square one.

come back/down to earth (with a bang/bump) | bring somebody (back) down to earth (with a bang/bump)

(informal) to return, or to make somebody return, to a normal way of thinking or behaving after a time when you/they have been very excited, not very practical, etc. see also down to earth

back

verb

/bæk/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they back	/bæk/ /bæk/
he / she / it backs	/bæks/ /bæks/
past simple backed	/bækt/ /bækt/
past participle backed	/bækt/ /bækt/
-ing form backing	/ˈbækɪŋ/ /ˈbækɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

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support

[transitive] back somebody/something to encourage somebody or give them help; to give financial support to somebody/something

Her parents backed her in her choice of career.
The project to improve healthcare is backed (= given financial support) by the government.

Extra Examples

a United Nations-backed peace plan
His election bid was financially backed by a soft drinks company.

Topics Businessb2, Moneyb2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

strongly
fully
overwhelmingly
…

See full entry

[transitive] back somebody/something to support and agree with somebody/something

Local residents are enthusiastically backing the campaign to save the library.
Doctors have backed plans to raise the tax on cigarettes.
He has publicly backed calls for an enquiry.

Extra Examples

Teachers are strongly backing the new educational policies.
Campaigners, backed by business leaders, have been calling for a no vote.

[transitive, usually passive] to help prove that something is true

be backed by something All complaints must be backed by evidence.

bet money

[transitive] back something to bet money on a horse in a race, a team in a competition, etc.

I backed the winner and won fifty pounds.
The horse was heavily backed on the morning of the race.

Topics Moneyc1, Sports: other sportsc1

music

[transitive] back something to play or sing music that supports the main singer or instrument see also backing

move backwards

[intransitive, transitive] to move or make something move backwards

+ adv./prep. He backed against the wall, terrified.
to back out of a parking space
back something + adv./prep. If you can't drive in forwards, try backing it in.

compare reverse

Extra Examples

She backed across the room.
He backed out of the drive.
She backed into the garage.
Try backing the car in—it's easier that way.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

hastily
hurriedly
immediately
…

verb + back

try to

preposition

across
away from
into
…

See full entry

cover back

[transitive] [usually passive] to cover the back of something in order to support or protect it

be backed with something Each piece is backed with clear vinyl.

be behind

[transitive, usually passive] to be located behind something

be backed by something The house is backed by fields.

Word OriginOld English bæc, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch and Old Norse bak. The adverb use dates from late Middle English and is a shortening of aback.

Idioms

back the wrong horse

(British English) to support somebody/something that is not successfulTopics Difficulty and failurec2

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