ALL meanings of turn one's back on
back
T t - noun turn one's back on the rear part of the human body, extending from the neck to the lower end of the spine. 1
- noun turn one's back on the part of the body of animals corresponding to the human back. 1
- noun turn one's back on the rear portion of any part of the body: the back of the head. 1
- noun turn one's back on the whole body, with reference to clothing: the clothes on his back. 1
- noun turn one's back on ability for labor; effort; endurance: He put his back into the task. 1
- noun turn one's back on the part opposite to or farthest from the front; the rear part: the back of a hall. 1
- noun turn one's back on the part that forms the rear of any object or structure: the back of a chair. 1
- noun turn one's back on the part that covers the back: the back of a jacket. 1
- noun turn one's back on the spine or backbone: The fall broke his back. 1
- noun turn one's back on any rear part of an object serving to support, protect, etc.: the back of a binder. 1
- noun turn one's back on Nautical, Aeronautics. the forward side of a propeller blade (opposed to face (def 20.)). 1
- noun turn one's back on Aeronautics. the top part or upper surface of an aircraft, especially of its fuselage. 1
- noun turn one's back on Bookbinding. the edge of a book formed where its sections are bound together. 1
- noun turn one's back on the backs, grounds along the River Cam in back of certain colleges at Cambridge University in England: noted for their great beauty. 1
- noun turn one's back on Architecture. extrados. 1
- noun turn one's back on Carpentry. the upper side of a joist, rafter, handrail, etc. the area of interior wall between a window stool and the floor. 1
- noun turn one's back on Mining. the roof of a stope or drift. 1
- noun turn one's back on Sports. a player whose regular position is behind that of players who make initial contact with the opposing team, as behind the forward line in football or nearest the player's own goal in polo. the position occupied by this player. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on to support, as with authority, influence, help, or money (often followed by up): to back a candidate; to back up a theory with facts. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on to bet on: to back a horse in the race. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on to cause to move backward (often followed by up): to back a car. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on to furnish with a back: to back a book. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on to lie at the back of; form a back or background for: a beach backed by hills. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on to provide with an accompaniment: a singer backed by piano and bass. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on to get upon the back of; mount. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on to write or print on the back of; endorse; countersign. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on Carpentry. to attach strips of wood to the upper edge of (a joist or rafter) to bring it to a desired level. 1
- verb with object turn one's back on Nautical. to alter the position of (a sail) so that the wind will strike the forward face. to brace (yards) in backing a sail. to reinforce the hold of (an anchor) by means of a smaller one attached to it and dropped farther away. 1
- verb without object turn one's back on to go or move backward (often followed by up). 1
- verb without object turn one's back on Nautical. (of wind) to change direction counterclockwise (opposed to veer). 1
- adjective turn one's back on situated at or in the rear: at the back door; back fence. 1
- adjective turn one's back on far away or removed from the front or main area, position, or rank; remote: back settlements. 1
- adjective turn one's back on belonging to the past: back files; back issues. 1
- adjective turn one's back on in arrears; overdue: back pay. 1
- adjective turn one's back on coming or going back; moving backward: back current. 1
- adjective turn one's back on Navigation. reciprocal (def 7). 1
- adjective turn one's back on Phonetics. (of a speech sound) produced with the tongue articulating in the back part of the mouth, as in either of the sounds of go. 1
- idioms turn one's back on back and fill, Nautical. to trim the sails of a boat so that the wind strikes them first on the forward and then on the after side. to change one's opinion or position; vacillate. 1
- idioms turn one's back on back and forth, South Midland U.S. to go back and forth, as in running errands or visiting: He spent the day backing and forthing to the post office. to work in an aimless or ineffective way; expend effort with little result. 1
- idioms turn one's back on back water, Nautical. to reverse the direction of a vessel. to retreat from a position; withdraw an opinion: I predict that the council will back water on the tax issue. 1
- idioms turn one's back on be flat on one's back, to be helpless or beaten: He's flat on his back after a long succession of failures. to be confined to one's bed because of illness. 1
- idioms turn one's back on behind one's back, in one's absence; without one's knowledge; treacherously; secretly: I'd rather talk to him about it directly than discuss it behind his back. 1
- idioms turn one's back on break someone's back, to cause a person to fail, especially to cause to become bankrupt: His family's extravagance is breaking his back. 1
- idioms turn one's back on break the back of, to complete the principal or hardest part of (a project, one's work, etc.): He finally broke the back of the problem. to overcome; defeat: They broke the back of our union. 1
- idioms turn one's back on get off one's back, Informal. to cease to find fault with or to disturb someone: The fight started when they wouldn't get off my back. 1
- idioms turn one's back on get one's back up, Informal. to become annoyed; take offense: She gets her back up whenever someone mentions her family's influence. 1
- idioms turn one's back on get / have / watch someone’s back, Informal. to help and protect someone if necessary, especially in a time of trouble: If he needs anything, I hope he knows I’ve got his back. Also, have got someone's back. 1
- idioms turn one's back on have one's back to the wall, to be in a difficult or hopeless situation. 1
- idioms turn one's back on in back of, behind: He hid in back of the billboard. What could be in back of his strange behavior? Also, back of. 1
- idioms turn one's back on on one's back, Informal. finding fault with or disturbing someone: The boss is always on my back about promptness. 1