scratch someone's back



scratch someone's back

Do someone a favor in hopes that a favor will be returned. For example, I don't mind driving this time-she's scratched my back plenty of times. It also is put as you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, as in If you do the laundry I'll do the cooking-you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. This idiom was first recorded in 1704.
See also: back, scratch

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Aiasie-ahs (Ancient Greek) Greek Mythology
MikoŁAjmee-KAW-wayPolish
Lihi-Hebrew
Alekseiah-lyek-SYAY (Russian), ah-leek-SYAY (Russian)Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian
Samara-English (Modern)
Patten['pætn]