live off the backs of (someone)

live off the backs of (someone)

To exploit the labor of someone else to support one's own existence. This area has been living off the backs of migrant workers for years.

See also: back, live, of, off

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

live off the backs of someone

If one group of people lives off the backs of another group, the first group uses the money and resources of the second group to survive, and gives nothing in return. For too long the rich have lived off the backs of the working-class.

See also: back, live, of, off, someone

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012