bend back

bend back

1. Of a person, to lean backwards. I bent back to catch my dog before he sprinted past me through the open door. I bent back to pick up all the socks I'd dropped on my way down the hall.

2. Of a thing, to push backwards. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bend" and "back." If you bend those curtains back, this room will get a lot more sunlight. Bend back the corner of the page to mark your place in the book.

See also: back, bend

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

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