bend over backwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bend over backwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone making a great effort to accommodate or help someone else. Example: "She really bent over backwards to ensure that her guests had a wonderful time at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I bend over backwards to pretend I'm not.

The New York Times

"My reporters bend over backwards to be fair," he said.

The New York Times

And I'll bend over backwards and light up the room.

The New York Times

I will bend over backwards to help out my people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We must bend over backwards to be balanced.

The Guardian

Sometimes reviewers bend over backwards to try to be nice.

The Guardian - Books

"I bend over backwards to back up what I say".

The New York Times

SOMETIMES you bend over backwards to please, but still get nowhere.

The Economist

But that doesn't mean they won't try to bend over backwards to hate their own gender.

The New Yorker

Universities bend over backwards to admit "legacies" (ie, the children of alumni).

The Economist

I've worked incredibly hard and I've watched women bend over backwards to open doors for me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bend over backwards" to illustrate situations where someone makes exceptional efforts to accommodate or assist someone else. It adds emphasis to the extent of their willingness to help.

Common error

Avoid using "bend over backwards" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "go the extra mile" or "make every effort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bend over backwards" functions primarily as a verb phrase within a sentence, often used to describe the action of someone making a significant effort to help or please someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys dedication exceeding expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

HuffPost

3%

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bend over backwards" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe someone making exceptional efforts to help or please others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use but can be replaced with synonyms like "go the extra mile" or "make every effort" to avoid repetition. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Wiki contexts. Remember to use it judiciously to emphasize dedication without overusing it. The primary function is to describe action and its communicative purpose is to emphasize degree of effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bend over backward

Similar in meaning but without the 's' at the end. It is sometimes used this way and is still largely accepted.

go the extra mile

Indicates exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

make every effort

Highlights a strong intention and dedicated action toward achieving something.

go to great lengths

Emphasizes the extensive measures taken to accomplish a goal.

lean over backwards

Implies an eagerness to please with an emphasis on showing support.

try your hardest

Highlights sincere effort and determination in a particular task.

move heaven and earth

Describes making an all-out effort, suggesting overcoming significant obstacles.

do your best

Emphasizes striving for excellence and performing to the highest capability.

give it your all

Focuses on putting in maximum effort and dedication.

strain every nerve

Suggests extreme effort and maximum exertion in pursuing a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "bend over backwards" in a sentence?

You can use "bend over backwards" to describe someone making a great effort to help or please others. For example, "The company "bent over backwards" to accommodate the client's needs".

What does it mean to "bend over backwards" for someone?

To "bend over backwards" for someone means to make a significant effort, often beyond what is expected or required, to help or accommodate them.

Are there any synonyms for "bend over backwards" that I can use?

Yes, some synonyms for "bend over backwards" include "go the extra mile", "make every effort", and "go to great lengths".

Is it grammatically correct to say "bend over backwards"?

Yes, "bend over backwards" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiom in English. It is used to describe someone making extraordinary efforts.