behind one's back

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There ought to be no shortage of candidates, despite the sense of having a hand tied behind one's back in taking on the responsibility.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

General Richard Dannatt, head of the army from 2006 to last year, says a lack of resources had left the military conducting operations "with at least part of one arm tied behind one's back."

From Time • Apr. 8, 2010

The hardest of criminals will respond favorably to such treatment when genuine and done in the absence of a "big stick" behind one's back .

From Time Magazine Archive

Adv. without, minus, nowhere; elsewhere; neither here nor there; in default of; sans; behind one's back.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark

Censuring, and to speak evil behind one’s back, belongeth only to the magistrates.

From Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther by Bell, Captain Henry