How do you use "Target on your back" in a sentence?

When you're the champion, you've got a target on your back. After that viral post, she had a target on her back. Speaking up at the meeting put a target on his back.

Target on your back

Q: What does "Target on your back" mean?

Being singled out for attack, criticism, or competition. From combat imagery of having a literal target painted on you. Means you've drawn attention and people are actively coming after you. Common in sports, business, and social situations.

American Slang Term American ★★★★★ Very Common informal

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Meaning: Being singled out for attack, criticism, or competition.

被特别针对，成为攻击、批评或竞争的靶子。

Ser señalado como blanco de ataques, críticas o competencia.

攻撃・批判・競争の標的にされること。

공격, 비판, 또는 경쟁의 표적이 되는 것.

From combat imagery of having a literal target painted on you. Means you've drawn attention and people are actively coming after you. Common in sports, business, and social situations.

源自战斗中背上被画了靶心的意象。意思是你已经引起注意，别人在主动针对你。在体育、商业和社交场合都很常用。

De la imagen de combate de tener literalmente una diana pintada en la espalda. Significa que has llamado la atención y la gente va a por ti activamente. Común en deportes, negocios y situaciones sociales.

文字通り体に標的を描かれるという戦闘のイメージが語源。注目を集めてしまい、人々が積極的に攻撃してくることを意味する。スポーツ、ビジネス、社会的場面でよく使われる。

등에 진짜 표적이 그려진 전투 이미지에서 유래. 주목을 끌어서 사람들이 적극적으로 공격해 온다는 뜻. 스포츠, 비즈니스, 사회적 상황에서 흔히 사용된다.

Examples

When you're the champion, you've got a target on your back.
当你是冠军的时候，背上就有了一个靶子。
Cuando eres el campeón, llevas una diana en la espalda.
チャンピオンになると、背中に的を背負うことになる。
챔피언이 되면, 등에 과녁을 달고 다니는 셈이다.
After that viral post, she had a target on her back.
那条帖子爆火之后，她成了众矢之的。
Después de aquella publicación viral, ella tenía una diana en la espalda.
あのバズったSNS投稿の後、彼女は標的にされた。
그 바이럴 게시물 이후로 그녀는 표적이 되었다.
Speaking up at the meeting put a target on his back.
在会上发言让他成了靶子。
Hablar en la reunión le puso una diana en la espalda.
会議で発言したことで、彼は標的にされてしまった。
회의에서 의견을 낸 것이 그를 표적으로 만들어 버렸다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: sports, business, workplace politics

Tone: cautionary, competitive

✓ Do Say

He's got a target on his back.
他背上有个靶子。
Lleva una diana en la espalda.
彼は標的にされている。
그는 등에 표적을 달고 있어.
You're putting a target on your back.
你是在把自己变成靶子。
Te estás poniendo una diana en la espalda.
自分で自分を標的にしてるぞ。
등에 표적을 다는 짓이야.

✗ Don't Say

Can imply genuine danger — use appropriately.
可能暗示真正的危险——请酌情使用。
Puede implicar peligro real — úsese con propiedad.
本当の危険を暗示することもある——適切な場面で使うこと。
실제 위험을 함축할 수 있다 — 적절하게 사용할 것.

Origin & History

From military and combat imagery. Became popular in sports commentary in the 1990s-2000s to describe the pressure of being the team to beat.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: All regions