put one's back into

English

Etymology

From the literal action of straining with one's whole body to push a heavy object. Compare put one's shoulder to the wheel.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Verb

put one's back into (third-person singular simple present puts one's back into, present participle putting one's back into, simple past and past participle put one's back into)

1. (idiomatic) Synonym of strive: to apply oneself.

   When he puts his back into the work, he gets quite a lot done.