bend over backward

phrase

variants or lean over backward
: to make extreme efforts (as at concession)
He said he would bend over backward to make the deal.

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bend over backward was in 1904

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Cite this Entry

“Bend over backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bend%20over%20backward. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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