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Phrases related to: one step forward, two steps back Page #8

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back on one's heelsIn a state of unease, surprise, or bewilderment, especially such that one's functioning or performance is detracted upon; Forced into a position of disadvantage, retreat, or poor performanceRate it:

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back on toAlternative spelling of back ontoRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
back ontoTo reverse a vehicle onto something.Rate it:

(3.40 / 5 votes)
back ontoTo overlook something from the rear.Rate it:

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back outTo withdraw from something one has promised to do.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
back outTo reverse a vehicle from a confined space.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
Back to Drawing BoardTo start some work again from the basics to eliminate the errors that made the earlier plan failRate it:

(2.50 / 2 votes)
back to our muttonsTo get back to the business at hand.Rate it:

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back to square oneLocated back at the start, as after a dead-end or failure.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
Back to Square OneA situation in which, one has to return to an earlier state due to certain drawbacks or failuresRate it:

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back to the drawing boardBack to the beginning following an unsuccessful attempt.Rate it:

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back to the salt minesResume work, usually with some reluctance. Resume a tedious task , usually with some reluctanceRate it:

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back to the wall(Can we clean up this sense?) A very difficult situation with no beneficial options available for action.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
back upAs a security measure.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
back upTo move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so.Rate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
back upTo provide support or the promise of support.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
back upSo as to stop the ball, and prevent overthrows.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
back upFor the non-striker to take a few steps down the pitch, in preparation to taking a run, just as the bowler bowls the ball.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
back upTo move a vehicle backwards.Rate it:

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back wallUsed other than as an idiom: see back, wall.Rate it:

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back wallThe wall at the back of a racquetball or squash court, directly opposite the front wall.Rate it:

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back waterA very remote, rural area.Rate it:

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back-asswardAlternative form of bass-ackwards.Rate it:

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back-asswardsAlternative form of bass-ackwards.Rate it:

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back-burnerHaving low urgency; not currently important.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
back-cloth starAn actor who stands upstage, forcing the other actors to face him and turn their backs to the audience, in order to gain more attention to himself.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
back-cloth starAn actor who stands upstage, forcing the other actors to face him and turn their backs to the audience, in order to draw more attention to himself.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
back-of-the-envelopeApproximate, rough, simplified, especially of a calculation, estimation or other reasoning.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
back-of-the-envelopeApproximate, rough, simplified.Rate it:

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back-to-backWith one's back facing somebody else's back.Rate it:

(4.50 / 4 votes)
back-to-backIdentical or similar and sequential.Rate it:

(2.50 / 2 votes)
back-to-back-to-backsequential or consecutive, in the case of exactly three events.Rate it:

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backpedalTo step backwards.Rate it:

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backpedalTo distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.Rate it:

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backroom dealDeals that are made in secret, in a dishonest way (sometimes and probably originally literally behind closed doors and/or in some back room in private. See also, shady, back-alley deals (a similar expression meaning the same thing)Rate it:

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backwaterA rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back waterRate it:

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backwaterThe water held back by a dam or other obstructionRate it:

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bâcler son ouvrageTo do one’s work quickly and badly; To “polish off” (or, scamp) one’s work.Rate it:

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bad appleA person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.Rate it:

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bad hair dayA day when one's hair seems unmanageable.Rate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
bad pennyA person or thing which is unpleasant, disreputable, or otherwise unwanted, especially one which repeatedly appears at inopportune times.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
bad taste in one's mouthA feeling of disappointment and frustration.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
bad taste in one's mouthA feeling of guilt, responsibility, or embarrassment as to cause nausea.Rate it:

(3.25 / 4 votes)
bad taste in one's mouthA feeling something is morally despicable as to cause nausea.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
bag and baggageAll one's possessions.Rate it:

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baîller comme une carpeTo yawn one’s head off.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
balance outTo counteract one another so as to be balanced.Rate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)
bald as a billiard ballOne whom has lost much hair and prematurely bald.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
bald as a coottotally bald; without any hair on one's head.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
ball upTo hunch over and pull in one's arms and legs.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)

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