| 词汇 | backwardness |
| 释义 | (redirected from backwardness)backward(s) about coming forwardReticent 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-backwardsrude slang 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 backwardTo 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 forth1. 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 An 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 forwardTo 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. bend over backwards1. Literally, to lean backwards. I'm so sore after bending over backwards and doing all those weird stretches at yoga this morning. 2. To exert a lot of effort towards some end. This phrase is often used to express frustration when one's efforts go unrecognized. I have been bending over backwards to make sure that you have a wonderful visit, and you don't even care! The entire staff really needs to bend over backwards while the CEO is visiting our office. know (something) backwardsTo be extremely familiar with a particular subject, field, or piece of writing, film, music, etc. Primarily heard in UK. I've read this book so many times, I know it backwards. You should ask Samantha about your car. She knows engines backwards. without a backward glanceWithout any reservations, remorse, or regret. Often used to describe leaving a place or situation. Likened to literally leaving somewhere without turning around to look at it one last time. I could leave this town without a backward glance—there's no reason for me to stay here. I thought he really loved working here, so it was strange when he up and resigned without a backward glance. lean over backwards1. Literally, to bend backwards. I'm so sore after leaning over backwards and doing all those weird stretches at yoga this morning. 2. To exert a lot of effort toward some end. This phrase is often used to express frustration when one's efforts go unrecognized. I have been leaning over backwards to make sure that you have a wonderful visit, and you don't even care! The entire staff really needs to lean over backwards while the CEO is visiting our office. know (something) backwards and forwardsTo be extremely familiar with a particular subject, field, or piece of writing, film, music, etc. I've read this book so many times, I know it backwards and forwards. You should ask Samantha about the issue—she knows car engines backwards and forwards. know (something) backwardTo be extremely familiar with a particular subject, field, or piece of writing, film, music, etc. Primarily heard in US. I've read this book so many times, I know it backward. You should ask Samantha about your problem—she knows car engines backward. know (something) backward and forwardTo be extremely familiar with a particular subject, field, or piece of writing, film, music, etc. Primarily heard in US. I've read this book so many times, I know it backward and forward. You should ask Samantha about the issue; she knows car engines backward and forward. move backward1. To move to a position or in the direction directly behind oneself. I moved backward in alarm when the patient began convulsing. I didn't have space to turn the car around, so I had to move backward to get out of the alleyway. 2. To cause or compel someone or something to move to a position or in the direction directly behind them. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "move" and "backward." The teacher moved me backward a few steps so that I was in line with everyone else. I can't move this thing backward without being able to see behind me! lean over backwardTo 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 leaned over backward planning this dinner party for you! Please don't lean over backward preparing for my visit—I'm totally prepared to sleep on your floor! back and forthin 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 backwardsFig. 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). back and forthAlso, 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 forwardAlso, backwards and forwards. 1. Same as back and forth. 2. Thoroughly, completely, as in He read the speech over and over, until he knew it backwards and forwards. [Late 1500s] bend over backwardsAlso, 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 oneselfAlso, 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 bookAlso, 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. bend over backwardsorbend over backwardCOMMON If you bend over backwards or bend over backward, you try very hard to help or please someone, even though it causes you trouble. We bent over backwards to make them feel welcome and they didn't thank us once. Note: You can also say that someone leans over backwards or leans over backward. You've done your duty — you've leaned over backwards. She has nothing to complain about. know something backwardsmainly BRITISH orknow something backwards and forwardsmainly AMERICANIf you know a subject backwards, you know a lot about it. I thoroughly enjoy lecturing and know my subject backwards. He will be very much in demand. He knows the business backwards. They know company personnel policy backwards and forwards. bend over backwards to do somethingmake every effort, especially to be fair or helpful. informalknow something backwardsbe entirely familiar with something. 1991 William Trevor Reading Turgenev People who lived in the town knew it backwards. bend/lean over ˈbackwards to do somethingtry very hard to help or please somebody: I’ve bent over backwards to be nice to her, but she’s pushed me too far now.ˌback and ˈforth(also ˌbackwards and ˈforwards) in one direction and then in the opposite one, repeatedly: The rope swung back and forth from the branch.She travels backwards and forwards between the factory and head office.know somebody/something ˈbackwards(informal, especially British English) know somebody/something extremely well: He must know the play backwards by now — he’s seen it six times!bend/lean over backward, toTo exert oneself enormously, to go to a great deal of trouble to satisfy or please someone. Originating in the United States about 1920, this expression, with its image of straining to do a backbend, is well on its way to cliché status. lean over backwardSee bend over backward. |
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