bend over backwards
Try extremely hard
To bend over backwards is to make an extraordinary effort to accommodate or please someone, often beyond what's reasonable: I bent over backwards to help him, and he didn't even say thank you.
The phrase suggests contorting oneself uncomfortably—going far out of your way when a simple favor would suffice.
Excessive stretching force
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- exertPut into active use
- stretchPull to extend
- pushForce something away
labor · toil · exhaust · overextend · sacrifice · overwork · inconvenience · trouble
Able to bend freely
- obligingWilling to help others
- helpfulGiving useful aid
- considerateMindful of others' needs
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
amenable · supportive · attentive · accommodating · responsive · generous · gracious · lenient
strain
Excessive stretching force
push · labor · toil · exhaust · overextend · sacrifice · overwork · inconvenience · trouble · lengths
flexible
Able to bend freely
- obligingWilling to help others
- helpfulGiving useful aid
- considerateMindful of others' needs
cooperative · amenable · supportive · attentive · accommodating · responsive · generous · gracious · lenient · indulgent
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- helpingaid, assist, give a hand, help, helping hand
- Hard Workgrind, hustle, toil, effort, labor
- maximum effortall-out, full throttle, go all out, go hard, all in
- perseverancepersist, never give up, tenacity, hang in there, endurance
bend over backwardsphone it in
Perform with minimal effort
go through the motions · coast · mail it in · slack off · cut corners
bend over backwardsobstruct
Block or hinder passage
stonewalling · stonewall · dig in one's heels · stand in the way · hinder