Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bend over backwards

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.78 in modern English

Syllables: bend over back-wards
IPA

35

Scrabble Score

17

Letters

2

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

Informal

verb

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

Example Sentences

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

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

bends over backwards (present, singular) bending over backwards (participle, present) bent over backwards (participle, past) bent over backwards (past) bend over backward (alternative)

Frequently Paired Words

backbend redouble reflect reflex retroflex tryhard

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 fall over backwards

Questions

What does bend over backwards mean?: To make a great effort; to take extraordinary care; to go to great lengths.

How to pronounce bend over backwards

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