"Was one back" is a colloquial expression that refers to being one step behind, either in a figurative or literal sense. The phrase can be used in various contexts, but it typically implies lagging in progress, falling behind in a competition, or being late in a sequence of events.
When used in a sports context, "was one back" usually refers to a player or team being one point or one position behind their opponent. For example, in a tennis match, if a player loses a set by a score of 6-7, the expression "was one back" can be used to describe their situation. Similarly, in team sports such as basketball or football, if a team is one point down on the scoreboards, they can be considered "one back."
On the other hand, in a more general sense, "was one back" can be used to describe someone who is slightly behind others in terms of progress or achievement. This can be applied to various scenarios, such as academic performances, career advancements, or personal achievements. For instance, if all of your colleagues receive promotions, and you are the only one who didn't, you can say you "were one back" in terms of career progression. Overall, "was one back" signifies relative positioning or timing, indicating being slightly behind others.
