back of the net
4
4.9
- noun
:
red
- "We need to put one in the back of the net right away and get the momentum of the game," Fryan said.
- ball in the back of the net
- hit the back of the net
- shot into the back of the net
Examples
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The Bombers converted their fourth straight, and the Cougars found the back of the net on their fourth to pull within 4-3.
Blog text (3) -
Intelligence and pace are all we need; the idea is to get the ball in the back of the net more times than they do.
Blog text (1) -
So I was the man to put the ball in the back of the net.
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After those two goals, the Rock would not find the back of the net again.
Blog text (1) -
The ball's in the back of the net.
-
Stapleton was able to get a hand on it, but the ball still found the back of the net.
Blog text (11) -
Hungary, however, found the back of the net immediately following halftime and held on for a 1-0 win.
Blog text (32) -
Helena Carlson found the back of the net for the Grizzlies.
Blog text (34) -
In the waning minutes of the first half, Daysi Serrano headed the ball cleanly into the back of the net.
Blog text (15) -
After he kicked the ball, it flew into the back of the net, scoring the winning goal.
Synonyms
170
1.0
A frame or net that players try to put the ball into
How Far
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase denotes the rear part of the net where the ball goes, so a B1 learner who knows 'back' and 'net' can derive the meaning from the literal spatial composition 'back of the net'. This compositional noun-of-noun pattern is common in sports commentary and across languages, making the expression immediately comprehensible rather than idiomatic.
Etymology
Back of the net comes from football and soccer: when a player scores, the ball hits the back of the net and makes it bulge or ripple. That's why people use it to mean 'a goal' or 'to score'.