back-to-back
|back-to-back|
B2
/ˌbæk tə ˈbæk/
consecutive or opposite
Etymology
Etymology Information
'back-to-back' originates from the English words 'back' and 'to,' where 'back' refers to the rear part of something and 'to' indicates direction or position.
Historical Evolution
'back' and 'to' have been used in English since Old English, and the phrase 'back-to-back' emerged in the 19th century to describe things occurring consecutively or in opposite directions.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'facing opposite directions,' but over time it evolved to also mean 'occurring consecutively.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
positioned or occurring one directly after the other.
The team won back-to-back championships.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/05/20 17:48