bent over backwards
Tried extremely hard
Bent over backwards describes making an extraordinary effort to help or accommodate someone, often more than seems reasonable or deserved: I bent over backwards to make her feel welcome, and she still complained.
The image suggests contorting oneself unnaturally to please others.
Usually appears with *bend* rather than *bent*: They'll bend over backwards to keep that client happy.
- effortfulRequiring significant exertion
- make an effortAttempt with intention
- do one's bestMake fullest possible effort
- accommodatingWilling to help others
- helpfulGiving useful aid
stretch · pliant · selflessness · move heaven and earth · overboard · altruism · meet halfway · considerate · obliging · leave no stone unturned · give one's all · flexible · jump through hoops · pull out all the stops · assiduous · sacrifice · attentive · above and beyond
bent over backwardsminimal effort
Smallest exertion needed
coasted · couldn't be bothered · slacked off · mailed it in · cut corners
bent over backwardsstonewalled
Deliberately unresponsive
turned a blind eye · looked the other way · obstructed · couldn't care less · abandoned
backwards, bends, bending, bender, unbent, backward, backs, backed, backing