Meaning & use
wind at your back
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiomfigurative
a situation in which you have favorable conditions, support, or momentum that help you succeed.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase, often after 'have' or 'with'. The possessive pronoun changes to match the person: wind at my/your/his/her/our/their back.
Patterns
- have the wind at your back
- with the wind at your back
After winning the first two games, the team had the wind at their back going into the final.
With the wind at her back, she felt confident she could finish the marathon.
The new policy gave small businesses the wind at their back.
phraseidiom
literally, wind blowing from behind you, which can help you move faster when walking, running, or sailing.
Grammar: Used literally when talking about physical wind direction. Often with 'have' or 'with'.
Patterns
- have the wind at your back
- with the wind at your back
Cyclists prefer to have the wind at their back on the return journey.
We made good time because we had the wind at our backs.
The sailors were relieved to finally have the wind at their back.
Common combinations
- have the wind at your back
- After the successful launch, the startup had the wind at its back.
- with the wind at your back
- With the wind at his back, he felt unstoppable.
- the wind at your back
- The wind at your back can make a long bike ride much easier.
- feel the wind at your back
- She felt the wind at her back as she ran the last mile.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tailwind
- A literal wind blowing from behind; 'wind at your back' can be used figuratively, while 'tailwind' is usually literal.
- advantage
- A general word for a favorable condition; 'wind at your back' is more vivid and suggests momentum.
- momentum
- Refers to increasing force or speed; 'wind at your back' emphasizes external help or favorable conditions.
Opposites
Commonly confused: wind at your back or wind in your sails?
wind at your back vs wind in your sails
A similar idiom meaning having momentum or energy, but it often implies internal drive, while 'wind at your back' suggests external push.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'wind at your back' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option A correctly uses the idiom to mean having favorable support. Option B is awkward because 'to finish' is not a typical complement. Option C uses 'of' incorrectly. Option D is nonsensical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “wind at your back”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.