on/off one's back

idiom

used of someone who is always or frequently criticizing or telling a person what to do
He says his wife is always on his back about doing chores around the house.
I wish he would get off my back about my grades

Examples of on/off one's back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lifestyle interventions such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol in the evening and avoiding sleeping on one's back have also proven to be helpful. USA TODAY, 29 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on/off one's back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near on/off one's back

on offense

on/off one's back

onomancy

Cite this Entry

“On/off one's back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%2Foff%20one%27s%20back. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!