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bend over backwards

to try very hard to help someone

In Idioms & Sayings

In more detail

(idiom) to make a great effort to help someone or achieve something, even if it is very difficult or requires you to do more than is expected

Examples

• She bent over backwards to make sure the party was perfect for her daughter.

How to use bend over backwards

This idiom expresses willingness to make exceptional effort, often implying sacrifice or going beyond normal expectations. It typically appears in narratives about helping others or achieving difficult goals, and carries a positive connotation about dedication. It is less formal than 'exert oneself maximally' but more established than casual expressions.

Register: informal

Common phrases

• bend over backwards to help
• bend over backwards for someone
• willing to bend over backwards
• bend over backwards in an attempt to

Synonyms

go the extra mile · go out of one's way · do one's utmost · pull out all the stops · move heaven and earth

Opposites

slack off · shirk

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'bend over backwards' with a negative subject or in contexts where effort is unwilling or resentful, when the idiom typically implies genuine willingness or generosity.

Nearby in Idioms & Sayings

the last straw, a dime a dozen, barking up the wrong tree, call it a day, cut to the chase, draw the line

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained