Jump to content

wind at one's back

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

[edit]

Pronunciation

[edit]

Noun

[edit]

wind at one's back

  1. (idiomatic) Forward momentum; a boost in one's prospects for success due to favorable events or circumstances.
    • 1997 April 7, Andrea Adelson, “Broadening the Appeal of Classical Music Radio”, in New York Times, retrieved 3 July 2015:
      And the Tulsa symphony credits the station with reversing a decline in ticket sales among younger patrons. "We've got the wind at our back," Mr. Cohn said.
    • 2008 April 23, Amy Sullivan, “A Primary with No End”, in Time, retrieved 3 July 2015:
      Most of the rational world . . . foresaw a smooth ride to victory for Democrats. They had, after all, the wind at their backs from the 2006 midterm elections.
    • 2010 December 16, Xan Brooks, “Film: When the alpha nerds kicked ass”, in Guardian, UK, retrieved 3 July 2015:
      Like the cowboys, cavalry men and settlers of old, the new-model nerd has the wind at his back and a kingdom to claim.

Usage notes

[edit]
  • Found in a variant form in the traditional Irish blessing:
May the road rise up to meet you;
May the wind always be at your back.