leaning over backwards
Trying too hard
Leaning over backwards, or bending over backwards, describes making an extraordinary effort to accommodate someone or achieve something, often to an excessive degree.
The image is of contorting oneself physically to reach something difficult.
She leaned over backwards to make the new employees feel welcome.
The phrase often carries a hint that such effort may be unappreciated or unnecessary.
- bendingCurving from straight
- bending overInclining torso downward
- selflessnessPrioritizing others over oneself
- contortionUnnatural twisting or bending
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
arching · compromise · stretching · receptiveness · easy going · cooperation · pliability · people-pleasing · people pleaser · yielding · giving in · willingness · obliging · consideration · tolerance · reaching · twisting · accommodation
leaning over backwardsdigging in one's heels
Refusing to yield position
stonewalling · standing one's ground · holding firm · turning a deaf ear · looking out for number one
leaning, backwards, leans, leaned, leaner, backward, backs, backed, backer