put one's back into
English edit
Etymology edit
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 edit
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb edit
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)
- (idiomatic) Synonym of strive: to apply oneself.
- When he puts his back into the work, he gets quite a lot done.