Phrase guide

bend over backwards

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make a great effort; to take extraordinary care; to go to great lengths.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • They bent over backwards to make sure everything was just right for the visit.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lean over backwards, go to great lengths, go to the ends of the earth, jump through hoops, move heaven and earth, spare no effort

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bend over, backwards.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

try very hard to please someone

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She falls over backwards when she sees her mother-in-law

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fall over backwards

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: act, behave, do

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

34 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: dəridən-qabıqdan çıxmaq — make a great effort
  • Catalan: fer mans i mànigues — make a great effort
  • Chinese Mandarin: 竭盡全力 /竭尽全力 (jiéjìnquánlì) — make a great effort
  • Chinese Mandarin: 拚命 (pànmìng) — make a great effort
  • Finnish: tehdä kaikkensa — make a great effort
  • French: se mettre en quatre — make a great effort
  • French: se plier en quatre — make a great effort
  • French: se couper en quatre — make a great effort
  • French: se donner du mal — make a great effort
  • German: sich ein Bein ausreißen — make a great effort
  • Bavarian German: si an Haxn ausreißn — make a great effort
  • Hungarian: kezét-lábát töri — make a great effort
  • Hungarian: majd hanyatt esik — make a great effort
  • Hungarian: majd összetöri magát — make a great effort
  • Hungarian: mindent elkövet — make a great effort
  • Italian: farsi in quattro — make a great effort
  • Italian: darsi pena — make a great effort
  • Italian: fare l'impossibile — make a great effort
  • Polish: wychodzić ze skóry — make a great effort
  • Polish: wyjść ze skóry — make a great effort
  • Polish: wychodzić z siebie — make a great effort
  • Polish: wyjść z siebie — make a great effort
  • Polish: stawać na głowie — make a great effort
  • Polish: stanąć na głowie — make a great effort
  • Polish: stawać na rzęsach — make a great effort
  • Polish: stanąć na rzęsach — make a great effort
  • Polish: stawać na uszach — make a great effort
  • Polish: stanąć na uszach — make a great effort
  • Portuguese: fazer de tudo — make a great effort
  • Portuguese: fazer das tripas coração — make a great effort
  • Russian: лезть из кожи вон (leztʹ iz koži von) — make a great effort
  • Russian: расшибаться в лепёшку (rasšibatʹsja v lepjóšku) — make a great effort
  • Spanish: partirse el lomo — make a great effort
  • Swedish: slå knut på sig själv — make a great effort