on our backs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on our backs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is burdened or has to carry the weight of responsibility for something. Example: "The constant demands of the project felt like a heavy weight on our backs, making it difficult to stay motivated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The historical debt to Africa is one we all carry on our backs.

Huffington Post

"He's been riding on our backs" since then, said Howard Glickberg, one of Fairway's owners.

The New York Times - Food

You put clothes on our backs.

The New Yorker

"They stayed on our backs".

The New York Times

We're carrying the team on our backs.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everything we have is on our backs.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, they found it on our backs".

The New York Times - Sports

"Getting a bit of sun on our backs is nice.

Independent

We will have targets on our backs now.

The New York Times

"We carried them on our backs," Dr. Langgut said.

The New York Times

On the ground, face down hands on our backs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on our backs" when you want to emphasize a shared burden, responsibility, or the feeling of being targeted. It's effective in conveying a sense of collective experience or pressure.

Common error

Avoid using "on our backs" when the burden is clearly and solely on an individual. The phrase implies a shared or collective weight, so ensure the context supports this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on our backs" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a state of being burdened, carrying responsibility, or being targeted. Ludwig examples show a wide application in news, sports, and personal narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on our backs" is a prevalent prepositional phrase used to express being burdened, responsible, or targeted, frequently appearing in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and readily usable in writing. It carries a neutral to slightly informal tone, making it apt for various contexts. While the phrase is widely accepted, remember that it implies a shared weight or collective responsibility. Alternatives like "burdening us" or "weighing us down" can be used to add nuance, depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burdening us

This alternative directly emphasizes the act of placing a load or responsibility on someone.

weighing us down

This alternative focuses on the oppressive feeling of carrying something heavy, be it physical or metaphorical.

oppressing us

This alternative conveys a sense of being heavily burdened, often unjustly.

pressuring us

This alternative highlights the external force or stress being applied.

targeting us

This alternative shifts the focus to being the object of unwanted attention or actions.

at our expense

This alternative emphasizes that someone benefits unfairly from our efforts or suffering.

depending on us

This alternative underlines reliance and responsibility.

placing demands on us

This alternative highlights the act of imposing requirements or expectations.

taking advantage of us

This alternative conveys unfair exploitation.

exploiting our efforts

This alternative focuses on unfairly using our work or contributions for someone else's gain.

FAQs

How can I use "on our backs" in a sentence?

You can use "on our backs" to describe a burden or responsibility that a group is carrying. For example, "The success of this project is "on our backs"."

What does it mean to have a "target on our backs"?

Having a "target on our backs" means that you or your group are being specifically watched or targeted, often negatively. This could be due to success, controversy, or other reasons.

What is a more formal way to say "on our backs"?

More formal alternatives include "our responsibility", "our burden", or "incumbent upon us" depending on the specific context you intend to convey.

Is it always negative to have something "on our backs"?

While often used in negative contexts to describe a burden, it can also imply responsibility or a challenge that a group is willing to undertake. It depends on the tone and the situation being described.