bend\ over\ backward

bend\ over\ backward
• bend over backward
• lean over backward
v. phr. informal
To try so hard to avoid a mistake that you make the opposite mistake instead; do the opposite of something that you know you should not do; do too much to avoid doing the wrong thing; also, make a great effort; try very hard.

Instead of punishing the boys for breaking a new rule, the principal bent over backward to explain why the rule was important.

Mary was afraid the girls at her new school would be stuck up, but they leaned over backward to make her feel at home.

Compare: go out of one's way

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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  • bend over backward — phrasal : to make extreme efforts at concession * * * see backward * * * bend over backward (or lean over backward also fall over backward) : to make a great effort to help someone or to reach agreement with someone The salesman said he would… …   Useful english dictionary

  • bend over backward — or[lean over backward] {v. phr.}, {informal} To try so hard to avoid a mistake that you make the opposite mistake instead; do the opposite of something that you know you should not do; do too much to avoid doing the wrong thing; also, make a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • bend over backward — or[lean over backward] {v. phr.}, {informal} To try so hard to avoid a mistake that you make the opposite mistake instead; do the opposite of something that you know you should not do; do too much to avoid doing the wrong thing; also, make a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • bend over backward — I. phrasal or lean over backward to make extreme efforts (as at concession) II. phrasal or bend over backwards to make extreme efforts …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • bend over backward to do something — bend (or lean) over backward to do something informal make every effort, esp. to be fair or helpful Jensen bent over backward to be fair …   Useful english dictionary

  • bend over backwards — phrasal see bend over backward II …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • lean\ over\ backward — • bend over backward • lean over backward v. phr. informal To try so hard to avoid a mistake that you make the opposite mistake instead; do the opposite of something that you know you should not do; do too much to avoid doing the wrong thing;… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • lean over backward — See: BEND OVER BACKWARD …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • lean over backward — See: BEND OVER BACKWARD …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • lean over backward — phrasal see bend over backward I …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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