back job

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back job" is not correct or usable in written English.
It is a phrase mostly used in informal, spoken English. If you are trying to make a statement about someone doing a job that requires physical strength, such as a manual labor job, you could say, "He works hard as a manual laborer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Pat on the back, job done, right?

The Guardian - Opinion

At all income levels, blacks are convinced that racial discrimination limits their income and holds back job advancement.

The New York Times

Larry Mishel has a very good piece systematically debunking the zombie claim that fears of regulation are holding back job creation.

The New York Times

Executives blame the poor rating on an excessive government bureaucracy that hinders the creation of new business, holds back job creation and ultimately hurts Polish competitiveness.

The New York Times

His wrestling season has since started, though, and he hopes to regain his starting running back job next fall as a senior.

The Washington Post

At all income levels, blacks in the city are convinced that racial discrimination limits their income and holds back job advancement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Republicans returning to Congress after the Labor Day recess have a legislative shopping list running gamut from rolling back "job-killing" regulation to outright abolition of the agency.

The Guardian - Opinion

I will bring back jobs.

The Washington Post

You can't bring back jobs.

The Washington Post

We're going to bring back jobs.

The Guardian

"Those jobs aren't coming back," Jobs replied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "back job" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and more descriptive phrases like "manual labor position" or "physically demanding work" to accurately convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Be cautious not to use "back job" as a general term for any job you dislike. It is often misinterpreted and lacks clarity. If you mean to describe a difficult or undesirable job, use more precise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back job" primarily functions as a noun phrase, though its usage is limited and often grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English. When it's encountered, it sometimes refers to a job that requires physical labor.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back job" is grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear, standardized meaning in English. As Ludwig AI's analysis points out, it's often used informally, potentially referring to jobs involving manual labor. However, it’s best to avoid this phrase in formal or professional contexts. Instead, opt for clearer and more descriptive terms like "manual labor position" or "physically demanding work" to ensure effective communication. While some sources, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, contain instances of the phrase, its overall usage is infrequent and often part of larger expressions with different intents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manual labor position

This alternative refers to a job requiring physical effort, similar to some implied uses of the original query.

physical work role

Emphasizes the physical aspect of the job, aligning with the intended meaning of "back job" in certain contexts.

labor intensive occupation

Focuses on the demanding physical nature of the work involved.

arduous job

Highlights the difficulty and strenuous nature of the job.

demanding physical task

This alternative focuses on the physical exertion required in the job.

tough assignment

Implies a challenging job that requires physical strength or endurance.

strenuous employment

Emphasizes the rigorous nature of the job, suggesting physical demands.

taxing job

Focuses on the draining and demanding qualities of the job.

grueling work

Highlights the exhausting and severe nature of the job.

heavy lifting position

This alternative directly suggests the need for physical strength and effort.

FAQs

How can I describe a job that requires a lot of physical labor?

Instead of "back job", consider using phrases like "manual labor position", "physically demanding work", or "labor-intensive occupation" to clearly convey the nature of the job.

Is "back job" considered formal English?

No, "back job" is not considered formal English. It's best to avoid this phrase in professional or academic writing and opt for more precise alternatives like "physical work role" or "labor intensive occupation".

What does "back job" mean?

The phrase "back job" lacks a clear, standardized definition in English. If you encounter this phrase, it likely refers to a job involving physical labor or a task perceived as undesirable. To avoid confusion, use descriptive terms like "arduous job" or "demanding physical task".

Can "back job" refer to a previous job?

While not a standard usage, the context might imply a return to a previous job. However, "back job" is not the correct phrase. To make this clear, say something like "returning to a "previous job"" or "reclaiming an "old position"".