beast with two backs
Two people united in sexual intercourse in the missionary position.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The characters in the play are described as the beast with two backs.”
“They become the beast with two backs in the dark bedroom.”
“He jokes about the beast with two backs after the party.”
“The writer used the phrase the beast with two backs to describe the lovers in a poetic and old-fashioned way.”
“The neighbors complained to the landlord after hearing the beast with two backs through the thin apartment walls every night.”
“The director decided to cut the scene where the couple acts as the beast with two backs to keep the movie's rating low.”
“While reading the old play, the students felt embarrassed when the teacher explained that the beast with two backs was actually a metaphor for a couple in bed.”
“In his classic tragedy, the playwright uses the crude image of the beast with two backs to provoke the audience and express his characters' deep anger.”
first recorded 16th c. disputed origin
First attested in English by William Shakespeare, see quotations. Supposedly a calque of French la beste à deux doz (in modern French, la bête à deux dos) from Gargantua and Pantagruel, 1534, by François Rabelais.
- 01
all the way to Egery and back
The long way; a roundabout route; a long distance to travel.
- 02
back down
To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously had, or has planned to have.
- 03
back forty
The most remote or inaccessible part of any place.
- 04
back gammon player
A person, chiefly a homosexual, who has anal sex.
- 05
back in the game
Having recovered from a disadvantageous position.
- 06
back into
To advance to the post-season as a result of another team's loss, especially where one's own team has also lost.
- 07
back of one's hand
A display of disrespect or scorn.
- 08
back off
To become less aggressive, particularly when one had appeared committed to act.
Last updated August 10, 2026