What it means
A barked little push for when someone's being limp with a job that needs real body behind it. You say put your back into it when they need to stop faffing about and shove, lift, haul, row, or graft properly. It's about using proper force, not tickling the task and hoping it moves.
Usage examples
"If we all put our backs into it, we can shift this wardrobe upstairs before the match kicks off."
"Right lads, we have got an hour to move the entire fridge from the back garden to the kitchen in this Birmingham flat, put your back into it or my wife is going to kill us all."
"If you put your back into it on this fundraising drive in the Bristol office, we hit target by Friday, otherwise we are stuck explaining the spreadsheet to head office in Glasgow."
"Come on, put your back into it, that sofa's not getting through the door by wishes alone."
"You've gotta put your back into it, mate, you're pushing that skip like it insulted your nan."
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Where it comes from
It comes from plain spoken English and the literal idea of heavy work being driven by your whole body, especially your back, not just your hands or arms. It's been used for ages as a shout during manual work, sport, and any moment where someone needs to stop loafing and really heave.
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