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backward
backward(s) about coming forward
Reticent or unwilling to voice one's opinion; shy. I've always been a bit backward about coming forward when it comes to my religious beliefs. Mary is in no way backward about coming forward; she'll tell you exactly what is on her mind.
backward(s) and forward(s)
Back and forth; moving in one direction and then the opposite. Can be used literally to refer to something or someone moving in such a way, or figuratively to refer to a situation in which no progress is made (e.g., an argument). I was pacing backwards and forwards in my room last night, worrying about this morning's exam. The two candidates debated the gun laws backward and forward, but neither could offer a productive solution in the end.
ass-backwards
Dysfunctional, regressive, and/or bizarre. The school board is so ass-backwards! Can you believe they took away our school's art program?
fall over backward
To expend a lot of energy or effort to do something; to inconvenience oneself. I can't believe how ungrateful you're being, especially since we fell over backward planning this dinner party for you! Please don't fall over backward preparing for my visit—I'm totally prepared to sleep on your floor!
back and forth
1. adjective In one direction and then another in an alternating fashion. During the party, I went back and forth to the kitchen to get drinks for the guests. The kids are outside throwing the baseball back and forth. The union and management are still going back and forth in the contract negotiation.
2. noun A argument or discussion in which two or more people alternate in sharing their perspectives. They're having a real back and forth up there—can you hear them yelling? I think we should have a little back and forth before we make a final decision.
be (not) backward in coming forward
To be reluctant or hesitant to voice one's opinion. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I should have known that Josh would criticize my entire paper—he's not backward in coming forward. Patty tends to be backward in coming forward, so I don't think she'll say anything tonight.
back and forth
in one direction and then the other repeatedly; from one place to another repeatedly. We tossed the ball back and forth between us. The tiger paced back and forth in its cage.
bend over backwards
(to do something) Go to fall over backwards (to do something).
bend over backwards (to do something) (for someone)
Fig. to work very hard to accomplish something for someone; to go out of one's way (to do something) (for someone). He will bend over backwards to help you. I bent over backwards for you, and you showed no thanks!
fall over backwards (to do something)
and bend over backwards (to do something); lean over backwards (to do something)Fig. to do everything possible to please someone. The taxi driver fell over backwards to be helpful. The teacher bent over backwards to help the students understand. You don't have to lean over backwards to get me to help. Just ask.
know something backwards and forwards and know something forwards and backwards
Fig. to know something very well; to know a passage of language so well that one could recite it backwards as well as forwards. Of course I've memorized my speech. I know it backwards and forwards.
lean over backwards
(to do something) Go to fall over backwards (to do something).
bend over backwards
to try very hard
lean over backwards We want your business and will bend over backwards to keep it. Usage notes: usually used to describe efforts to help or please someone
know something backwards and forwards
also know something inside out to be extremely well informed about something After 30 years in the fashion business, she knows it backwards and forwards. He knows New York inside out.
Related vocabulary: know something like the back of your handlean over backwards
to try very hard
bend over backwards She and her staff will lean over backwards to see that you are satisfied with their services. Usage notes: usually used to describe efforts to help or please someone
back and forth
if someone or something moves back and forth between two places, they move from one place to the other place again and again Nurses went back and forth among the wounded, bringing food and medicine.
not be backward in coming forward
(British & Australian humorous) to be confident and always ready to express an opinion If he doesn't like it, he'll tell you. He's not exactly backward in coming forward.
without a backward glance
if you leave without a backward glance, you are completely happy to leave and have no sad feelings about it She left the city she had lived in all her life without a backward glance.
bend/lean over backwards to do something
(British, American & Australian) also fall over backwards to do something (Australian) to try very hard to do something, especially to help or please someone else Banks are bending over backwards to help those in difficulties.
See know backwardsknow something backwards
(British & Australian) also know something backwards and forwards (American) if you know a subject or a piece of writing backwards, you know it very well Ed knows the play backwards - he's seen it eight or nine times. After 30 years in the business she knows it backwards and forwards.
back and forth
Also, backward(s) and forward(s). To and fro, moving in one direction and then the opposite and so making no progress in either. For example, The clock pendulum swung back and forth. The term is also used figuratively, as in The lawyers argued the point backwards and forwards for an entire week. [c. 1600]
backward and forward
Also, backwards and forwards.
2. Thoroughly, completely, as in He read the speech over and over, until he knew it backwards and forwards. [Late 1500s]
bend over backwards
Also,
lean over backwards. Exert oneself to the fullest extent, as in
Dad bent over backwards so as not to embarrass Stasia's new boyfriend. This phrase transfers the gymnastic feat of a backbend to taking a great deal of trouble for someone or something. [c. 1920] Also see under
fall all over.
fall all over oneself
Also, fall over backwards. Make an inordinate effort to do something, try very hard or eagerly. For example, They fell all over themselves to be helpful, but only got in the way, or She fell over backwards trying to please her boss, but it got her nowhere. The first of these hyperbolic expressions dates from the late 1800s, the second from the mid-1900s.
know like a book
Also,
know like the back of one's hand or
know backwards and forwards. Be extremely familiar with or knowledgeable about; understand perfectly. For example,
I know Greg like a book-I'm sure he'll come, or
I know this town like the back of my hand, or
John knew his part backwards and forwards. The first of these hyperbolic idioms, dating from the early 1800s, has a close cousin in
read like a book, which means "to discern someone's intent," as in
I can read Greg like a book; also see under
open book. The second (
back of hand) dates only from the mid-1900s. Also see
backwards and forwards, def. 2;
inside out, def. 2;
know all the answers.