English idiom

bend over backwards

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

To try extremely hard to help or please someone.

Why this phrase?

The awkward physical posture represents making an exceptional, even uncomfortable, effort for someone.

Example

“The hotel staff bent over backwards to make our stay comfortable.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

go the extra mile

To make more effort than is expected or required.

pull out all the stops

to make the maximum possible effort, holding nothing back

give someone a run for their money

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

have a go

to make an attempt at doing something

all in a day's work

a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties

back to square one

to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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