bend over backwards

present singular third person bends over backwards · participle present bending over backwards · participle past bent over backwards · past bent over backwards · alternative bend over backward

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

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

   1 more example

   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

   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

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