The backbone is really just another word for spine. The form of this idiom is to "show" or "demonstrate" some backbone, meaning, to demonstrate to others that you are not a chicken (coward), but rather, a brave and vigorous person.
This version is considered less crude, and thus, is more often applied to the political arena in written English.
Example: "Activists expected the Obama Administration to show some backbone in dealing with Republican opposition, but many have been sorely disappointed in the administration's behavior."
This is not to pick sides; I am simply delivering context for the post that will follow this one. Stay tuned.
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