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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

on the back of en · ADP

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. As a result of; after; subsequent to.
    • Lisicki will rise from her current ranking of 62 to at least 35 in the world on the back of her efforts at the All England Club, but she will have serious designs on a first Grand Slam title after overcoming the 2007 runner-up. 2011 June 28, Piers Newbery, “Wimbledon 2011: Sabine Lisicki beats Marion Bartoli”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 04 Feb 2023:
  2. (derogatory) By the effort of; by drawing an unfair advantage from.
    • They're trying to hand out dividends on the backs of the skilled workers who keep the lights on and can't get adequate raises and insurance.
    • Generational wealth was in some cases built on the back of slave labor.
    • This posh hotel makes its money on the backs of poor working women. It's clearly an outfit with no respect for its workers. 1987 December 13, Elizabeth Pincus, quoting Barbara Neely, “Copping To The Mop Scandal”, in Gay Community News, volume 15, number 22, page 1:

Relateds

in back of · on one's back · on someone's back