Dictionary

bend over backwards en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, informal) To make a great effort; to take extraordinary care; to go to great lengths.
   • The police were plainly on his side. Lawyers helped, too, with a letter he used to justify his strategy. And of course the government of the day bent over backwards to ensure nothing would stand in the way of the media baron's ambitions. 2011 July 27, Jon Henley, “Rupert Murdoch and the battle of Wapping: 25 years on”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
   • They bent over backwards to make sure everything was just right for the visit.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bend over, backwards.

Forms

Relateds

redouble · backbend · retroflex · reflex · reflect · tryhard

Synonyms

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

Translations (34)

de sich ein Bein ausreißen (make a great effort) · pl stanąć na głowie (make a great effort) · it darsi pena (make a great effort) · fr se plier en quatre (make a great effort) · it farsi in quattro (make a great effort) · pl stanąć na rzęsach (make a great effort) · pl wychodzić z siebie (make a great effort) · cmn 竭盡全力 /竭尽全力 (make a great effort) · hu kezét-lábát töri (make a great effort) · ca fer mans i mànigues (make a great effort) · cmn 拚命 (make a great effort) · pl stawać na uszach (make a great effort) · bar si an Haxn ausreißn (make a great effort) · sv slå knut på sig själv (make a great effort) · fi tehdä kaikkensa (make a great effort) · hu majd összetöri magát (make a great effort) · it fare l'impossibile (make a great effort) · pl wyjść ze skóry (make a great effort) · hu mindent elkövet (make a great effort) · pt fazer de tudo (make a great effort) · pl wyjść z siebie (make a great effort) · fr se couper en quatre (make a great effort) · pl wychodzić ze skóry (make a great effort) · pl stawać na rzęsach (make a great effort) · ru расшибаться в лепёшку (make a great effort) · pl stawać na głowie (make a great effort) · hu majd hanyatt esik (make a great effort) · pl stanąć na uszach (make a great effort) · pt fazer das tripas coração (make a great effort) · fr se mettre en quatre (make a great effort) · ru лезть из кожи вон (make a great effort) · fr se donner du mal (make a great effort) · az dəridən-qabıqdan çıxmaq (make a great effort) · es partirse el lomo (make a great effort)