0

I often come across this phrase "fresh off the back of something" and although I could never find it in a dictionary, I figured out it means "right after something" but what does it really mean "off the back"? Why is the word "back" used in this phrase?

2

2 Answers 2

2

OED has a draft entry from 2010:

Chiefly Brit. on (also off) the back of : on the basis of; by capitalizing on the work or success of.

1906 Baily's Mag. Jan. 30/2 On the back of every successful form of enterprise kindred ventures are too often floated without much regard to the question of whether they contain the elements of success.
...
1993 Accountancy Oct. 49/1 Off the back of its tea business Moran diversified into freight.
2004 H. Kennedy Just Law (2005) xiii. 278 The government wins support for the entitlement card on the back of asylum scares.

I suppose it may come from horse-riding, referring either to riding on, or jumping off from, the back of an animal.

Image of acrobats on horseback

Image c 1875 | Source | Copyright Library of Congress

3
  • 1
    This aint fresh at all.
    – Kris
    Commented Dec 30, 2013 at 5:24
  • 1
    Seconding @Kris here. The word "fresh" is not in this. If I had to take a guess, I'd say the question comes from a common mixed metaphor (with this phrase and "fresh off the boat" being the mixed sources), or this phrase is a regionalism from somewhere (probably not the US).
    – T.E.D.
    Commented Jul 15, 2015 at 15:43
  • Fresh[ly] (adj. and adv.) = direct[ly]; new[ly]; most recent[ly]. 1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) I. App. 673 The narrative..was fresh from the lips of an Englishman. fresh off = fresh from
    – Greybeard
    Commented Oct 22, 2020 at 10:08
0

I wonder if you’re thinking of the phrase ‘right off the bat’?

i.e. immediately

e.g. Right off the bat we were chatting like old friends.

1
  • 1
    While this isn't a bad idea, without supporting research it comes across as more of a comment or opinion than a detailed answer. Please take a moment to tour the site and see the help center.
    – livresque
    Commented Oct 22, 2020 at 9:18

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .