put one's back into
Synonym of strive: to apply oneself.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If you put your back into it, you will finish the work quickly.”
“The team knew they had to put their backs into the project to meet the difficult deadline.”
“Only by putting his full back into the demanding labor could he hope to complete the restoration before the winter storms arrived.”
Derived from the physical exertion required to move a heavy object by straining with the entire body. The phrase originates in the mechanics of manual labour and shares its imagery with the related expression to put one's shoulder to the wheel.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026