bend/lean over backward, to
bend/lean over backward, to - To exert oneself enormously, to go to a great deal of trouble to satisfy or please someone. Originating in the United States about 1920, this expression, with its image of straining to do a backbend, is well on its way to cliché status.
Related Terms & Similar Expressions:
- Go the extra mile – To make a special effort to achieve something.
- Break your back – To work extremely hard.
- Pull out all the stops – To use all available resources to achieve something.
- Move heaven and earth – To do everything possible to achieve a result.
- Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night.
- Bust a gut – To make a great effort.
Sympathetic Synonyms:
- Strive
- Strain oneself
Antonyms:
- Coast along
- Take it easy
- Half-hearted effort
Proverbs & Quotes:
🗣️ “Don’t bend over backwards; master the lingo of boundaries.” – Anonymous
“If you bend over backward, don’t be surprised to find yourself walking on your hands.” - The Wisdom of the Contortionist
Suggested Literature & Pop Culture:
📚 Book: “The Procrastinator’s Handbook: Mastering the Art of Doing Things One Step at a Time” by Rita Emmett – for an understanding of balance and effort. 🎬 Movie: “Office Space” – A humorous look at the trials of everyday work and going the extra mile. 🎼 Song: “Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy – For when you’re working hard and waiting for the break. 📝 Poetry: “To Myself” by Edgar Albert Guest – For a dose of self-reflection and inspiration.
Inspirational Thought:
“Life’s too short to spend it doing backflips for the sake of someone else’s applause. Stand tall and walk straight.”
