to the backbone
Through and through; thoroughly; entirely.
staunch to the backbone
backbone
UK /ˈbækˌbəʊn/ US /ˈbækˌboʊn/
noun 3
Collocations
4ADJ.
commercial, east, general, modern, slippery, spinal, strong
VERB + BACKBONE
gas, remains
BACKBONE + NOUN
algeria's, bay, column, commerce, community, economy, kent, kenyan
PREP.
on, out
Definitions
noun
1
The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
2
Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
Before automobiles, railroads were a backbone of commerce.
Undoubtedly it can be said that the humble 0-6-0 has been the backbone for general service, or general utility on British railways right from their earliest days, and is likely to remain so.
3
Courage, fortitude, or strength.
He would make a good manager, if he had a little more backbone.
His appearance was certainly that of a hairdresser's dummy; but in the great demoralization of the land he kept up his appearance. That's backbone. His starched collars and got-up shirt-fronts were achievements of character. He had been out nearly three years; and, later, I could not help asking him how he managed to sport such linen.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun — the part of a book's cover that encloses the inner side of t
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone
Success is achieved by hard work, not by merely wishing for it.
Example Bank
601
Before automobiles, railroads were a backbone of commerce.
Wiktionary02
Undoubtedly it can be said that the humble 0-6-0 has been the backbone for general service, or general utility on British railways right from their earliest days, and is likely to remain so.
Wiktionary03
With little regular employment available in East Kent the backbone of the Kent Coast passenger traffic is therefore the commuters, the not inconsiderable numbers of people who travel each day to their
Wiktionary04
Will he have the backbone to speak out against the bill?
Tatoeba · #28468805
He is an American to the backbone.
Tatoeba · #30048906
Invertebrates have no backbone or spinal column.
Tatoeba · #5357562Usage Notes
i Register
In some senses, backbone is marked as figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.
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