bend (redirected from bends)

*(a)round the bend 

1. Fig. crazy; having lost sanity. (*Typically: be ~; go ~.) I think this job is sending me around the bend. She sounds like she's round the bend already.

2. intoxicated from alcohol or drugs. (*Typically: be ~; go ~.) One more of those, and you'll be around the bend. From the glassy look in her eyes, I'd say she is completely round the bend now.

See also: round

above one's bend and above one's huckleberry

Rur. beyond one's ability. Fixing those new cars with computers in them is above my bend. Joe's a good cook, but fancy desserts are above his huckleberry.

See also: above

bend someone or something back

to curve or arch someone or something backward. We bent the child back a little so we could examine the spider bite. Ouch! Don't bend back my hand! Bend the branch back so we can get a better view.

See also: back

bend someone's ear

Fig. to talk to someone, perhaps annoyingly. (As if talking so much that the other person's ear is moved back.) Tom is over there, bending Jane's ear about something. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bend your ear for an hour.

See also: ear

bend someone out of shape

Fig. to make someone angry. The cheating that was going on really bent Joe out of shape. Why do you let yourself get bent out of shape? Chill, man, chill.

See also: out, shape

bend something out of shape

to distort something by twisting or bending. Jill bent the spring out of shape. I bent the coat hanger out of shape by hanging my leather jacket on it.

See also: out, shape

bend back

to lean or bend backwards. He bent back to pick up the book, and he fell. When she bent back, she ripped something.

See also: back

bend before something

to bend under the pressure of moving air. The trees bent before the wind. Our roses bent gracefully before the breeze.

See also: before

bend down

to curve downward; [for someone] to lean down. Please bend down and pick up the little bits of paper you just dropped. The snow-laden bushes bent down.

bend forward

to lean forward; to curve forward. The tree bent forward in the wind. I bent forward to pick up the pencil.

See also: forward

bend in

to curve or turn inward. The shore bent in about a mile to the west. The side of the shed bent in under the force of the wind.

bend one's elbow and bend the elbow; lift one's elbow

to take a drink of an alcoholic beverage; to drink alcohol to excess. He's down at the tavern, bending his elbow. Paul gets lots of exercise. I saw him bend his elbow thirty times at a bar yesterday.

See also: elbow

bend over

[for someone] to bend down at the waist. I bent over and picked up the coin. When he bent over, something ripped.

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!

See also: backward

bend the law and bend the rules

Fig. to cheat a little bit without breaking the law. (Jocular.) I didn't break the rules. I just bent the rules a little. Nobody ever got arrested for bending the law.

See also: law

drive someone around the bend

Fig. to make someone angry or very frustrated. This tax stuff is about to drive me around the bend. Gert will drive us all around the bend with her constant complaining.

See also: around, drive

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.

See also: backward, fall

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bend somebody's ear  (informal)

to talk to someone for a long time, usually about something boring (often + about ) Don't let her bend your ear about how overworked she is.

See also: ear

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 backwards

See also: backward

bend/stretch the rules

to do something or to allow someone to do something which is not usually allowed We don't usually let students take books away, but I'm willing to bend the rules on this occasion.

See also: rule

drive/send somebody round the bend  (informal)

to make someone very angry, especially by continuing to do something annoying You're driving me round the bend with your constant complaining.

See also: drive, round

round the bend  (informal)

crazy Tell me frankly: do you think my father's round the bend? I was sure I'd locked that door. I must be going round the bend.

See bend over backwards, bend the rules

See also: round

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bend somebody's ear

to talk to someone for a long time She spent the day at a conference bending the ears of some high school teachers.

See also: ear

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

Related vocabulary: fall all over yourself (to do something)

See also: backward

bend the rules

to allow something to be done that is not usually allowed We don't usually let students take books home, but I'll bend the rules this time.

See also: rule