bend over backwards
Meaning(s)
1. To work very hard to accomplish something for someone
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
bend over backwards to help someone
Analysis
To 'bend over backwards' means to make every effort to do something and to go out of your way to ensure something is done well or someone is taken care of. Bending over backwards is an uncomfortable position so 'to bend over backwards' implies sacrificing your own comfort in order to accomplish something. This is an idiomatic expression used in social and professional contexts. Similar meaning expressions include 'go out of my way' and 'go the extra mile'.
Social Examples (Advance)
- Mr Thompson is the sort of guy that would bend over backwards to help if you had a problem. We are lucky to have him as a teacher.
- My neighbour is amazing she bends over backwards to help us out with the children whenever we need it.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- I have been bending over backwards to make sure that the Marketing team is ready for the big product launch, but half of them don't seem to care!
- We really need them to renew their contract, we should bend over backwards to do everything we can to keep them satisfied.