What Does "Rod for One's Back" Mean?
"Rod for one's back" is an English idiom. It means "a situation or responsibility that creates additional challenges, difficulties, or burdens for oneself, often due to one's choices or actions."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "rod for one's back" used in a sentence:- Taking on two part-time jobs while attending school full-time was a rod for his back, leading to exhaustion and stress.
- She acknowledged that managing a large estate would be a rod for her back, but she was determined to honor her family's legacy.
- Some people willingly accept a rod for their back by pursuing ambitious goals and responsibilities.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Rod for One's Back" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "rod for one's back" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
Gold
Silver
Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
