live off the backs oflive off the backs of (someone)
to use what other people produce in order to live, without giving them anything in exchange.
He was one of the wealthiest dictators of all time and he lived off the backs of the people.
(redirected from live off the backs of)
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.
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.