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off the back of a truck
01
used for saying that a free or unreasonably cheap product is not obtained legally
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "off the back of a truck" and when to use it?
The idiom "off the back of a truck" originated from the idea of stolen or illegally obtained goods being sold or acquired from the back of a truck. It is often used in informal conversations, particularly when discussing items that appear suspicious or are obtained without proper documentation or authorization. The phrase is used to convey a sense of skepticism or doubt about the legitimacy of the goods in question.
Example
The street vendor is currently selling merchandise off the back of a truck, attracting curious customers.
He often buys goods off the back of a truck, even though he knows they might be stolen.
If you're not careful, you might end up buying stolen goods off the back of a truck without even knowing it.
People sometimes purchase electronics off the back of a truck, unaware of their questionable origin.
Last week, he bought a TV off the back of a truck, only to find out it was defective and likely stolen.
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