bending backwards
Going out of your way/speaking up to do something unnecessarily - usually in defence or to protect someone. And it is usually associated with naivety or idiocy, even.
Stop bending backwards to defend the prime minister. True, he's not necessarily bad in this case, but it's not like he's some hero, all of a sudden.
Bend Over Backwards
To bend over backwards would assume some or all of another's problems as one's own. To bend over backwards for someone would portray the idea of going the extra mile and carrying another's burden in addition to one's own.
It would essentially mean twisting, bending, and utilizing a portion of one's interrupted routine (or literally, their body) into a position requiring effort, inconvenience or discomfort.
To exceed expectations by an identifiable action in addition to or at the exclusion of someone's personal responsibilities. The phrase might also be used as insinuation for sexual acts, or when used under the pretense of sarcasm... or both.
Possibly a state of mind. The phrase might be used when referring to someone who finds a portion of their identity in acts of service, hospitality, or ministry.
When used in a congratulatory manner, it could refer to someone who bends over backwards by contributing far more than had been expected or anticipated. It might be used in recognition of expended effort or resources to solve a problem.
Could be used as a prediction of anticipated effort. Someone enrolling in college or beginning a new career might be warned with the phrase that they will need more than "talent" to reach their intended destination.
First submission. Wide open to correction or improvement. Thank you.
It would essentially mean twisting, bending, and utilizing a portion of one's interrupted routine (or literally, their body) into a position requiring effort, inconvenience or discomfort.
To exceed expectations by an identifiable action in addition to or at the exclusion of someone's personal responsibilities. The phrase might also be used as insinuation for sexual acts, or when used under the pretense of sarcasm... or both.
Possibly a state of mind. The phrase might be used when referring to someone who finds a portion of their identity in acts of service, hospitality, or ministry.
When used in a congratulatory manner, it could refer to someone who bends over backwards by contributing far more than had been expected or anticipated. It might be used in recognition of expended effort or resources to solve a problem.
Could be used as a prediction of anticipated effort. Someone enrolling in college or beginning a new career might be warned with the phrase that they will need more than "talent" to reach their intended destination.
First submission. Wide open to correction or improvement. Thank you.
Bend Over Backwards in use: "My father bent over backwards to help us move." "My wife bends over backwards to make things happen." "I bend over backwards for people and they don't appreciate me." Those folks are always bending over backwards for their neighbors." "The crew bent over backwards to make that show happen." "If you want to make it here you're going to have to bend over backwards just to keep up."
bend over backwards
make a very big effort
my sister bends over backwards to help the doctor check her temperature
bend over backwards
to exert oneself mightily
If you have to bend over backwards for a place like that it's not worth finding it.
bend over backwards to bend you over forwards
to go well out of the way (beyond the call of duty) to make somebody suffer a severe shafting (to be right royally buggered)
Dr Drott bent over backwards to bend us over forwards in that exam