Definition

1. Verb Phrase (Idiomatic):
   • To make an extraordinary or extreme effort to be helpful, accommodating, or to please someone. It implies going far beyond what is normally expected or required, often at one's own inconvenience.

Usage

This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone exerts maximum effort, shows exceptional flexibility, or sacrifices their own comfort to achieve a goal or satisfy another person. It is almost always used in a figurative sense.

Examples

• Verb Phrase:
  • The hotel staff bent over backwards to make sure our stay was perfect. (The staff made an exceptional effort.)
  • I bent over backwards to help him move, and he didn't even say thank you. (I made a great personal effort to help.)
  • The teacher bends over backwards to explain difficult concepts to every student. (The teacher makes extraordinary efforts to be clear and helpful.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can sometimes carry a tone of frustration or resentment, especially when the extraordinary effort is not appreciated or reciprocated, as shown in the second example above.
• It is often used with the preposition "for" or "to" to specify the beneficiary of the effort.
  • She bent over backwards for her clients.
  • They bent over backwards to accommodate our last-minute request.

Variants and Related Words

• Fall over backwards (to do something): A less common variant with the same meaning, emphasizing eagerness.
  • He falls over backwards to agree with his boss.
• Lean over backwards: An older, now less common variant.

Synonyms

• Go out of one's way: To make a special effort.
• Go the extra mile: To do more than is required.
• Strain oneself: To make a strenuous effort.
• Knock oneself out (informal): To work very hard.

Related Idioms

• Move heaven and earth: To do everything possible to achieve something. (This is stronger and implies overcoming great obstacles.)
• Pull out all the stops: To use all available resources or make the maximum effort to achieve something.

Verb

1. try very hard to please someone
   • She falls over backwards when she sees her mother-in-law