back east

English

Etymology

In American English, the idiomatic establishment of back east and out west, rather than out east and back west, implicitly reflects the history of Euro-American settlement of the interior of the United States in the 19th century, which involved a prevailing east-to-west gradient.

Adverb

back east (not comparable)

1. In the eastern part of an area, country etc.

   my relatives back east

Coordinate terms

• up north, out west, down south

Related terms

• back home

See also

• old country

Further reading

• word usage - What does "back east" mean? - English Language Learners Stack Exchange

Anagrams

• back seat, back-seat, backseat, seatback, set aback