To the backbone Meaning in English
expression
ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈbækˌboʊn
TOO / tuh / ti - THUH / thee - BAK-bohn
tˈuː/ /ðə, ði/ /bˈækbəʊn
TOO - THUH / thee - BAK-bohn
Definition
To the backbone means completely or to the very core, especially when describing loyalty, honesty, or a strong feeling.
Usage & Nuances
This is an emphatic, somewhat formal/poetic phrase, used mostly in writing or serious speech. Common with qualities ('loyal to the backbone') or conditions ('corrupt to the backbone'). Not used in casual conversation.
Spanish: hasta la médula - hasta los huesosPortuguese (BR): até o osso - até a medulaPortuguese (PT): até ao osso - até à medulaChinese (Simplified): 彻底地 - 入骨Chinese (Traditional): 徹底地 - 入骨Hindi: अंत:स्थल तक - हड्डियों तकArabic: حتى النخاع - حتى العظمBengali: অস্থিমজ্জা পর্যন্ত - সম্পূর্ণভাবেRussian: до мозга костей - до глубины душиJapanese: 骨の髄まで - 徹底的にVietnamese: tận xương tủy - tận cùngKorean: 뼛속까지 - 철저하게Turkish: iliklerine kadar - köküne kadarUrdu: ریڑھ کی ہڈی تک - مکمل طور پرIndonesian: sampai ke tulang sumsum - sepenuhnya
Example Sentences
She is honest to the backbone.
basic
He is loyal to the backbone.
basic
They were corrupt to the backbone.
basic
You can trust her; she’s reliable to the backbone.
natural
His patriotism is clear; he's American to the backbone.
natural
She stood by her friends to the backbone, no matter what happened.
natural