scratch back

scratch (one's) back

To provide one with a favor; to do something generous, helpful, or beneficial for someone. Usually implies that the favor is expected or hoped to be returned in the future. The president has been accused of scratching the oil industry's backs with a series of executive actions that put them in a position to make a lot more money. I've been scratching his back for years now—getting him a job, helping him move into his apartment, lending him money to buy furniture. The least he could do is help me clean out my house before I move. Just get me the information on the senator I need, and I'll make sure it's worth your while—you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, OK?
See also: back, scratch

scratch someone's back

 
1. Lit. to scratch, usually with the fingers, the parts of someone's back that they cannot reach. Please scratch my back between my shoulder blades.
2. Fig. to do a favor for someone in return for a favor done for you. You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours. We believe that the mayor has been scratching the treasurer's back.
See also: back, scratch
References in periodicals archive ?
QMIC started working on building Masarak Intelligent transport system from scratch back in 2010.
Qatar : QMIC awarded for Best Innovations at ARC 16
The former England manager admitted he did not want to risk United's senior defenders picking up injuries on Providence Park's plastic pitch, Gael Bigirimana and Shane Ferguson part of a scratch back four.
McLaren makes a strong case for progress despite defeat to Portland; Tour ends with loss but boss is feeling upbeat
I was quite insistent with Gore (Verbinski - the director) that I wanted to be a bit tougher, and snap back and scratch back and spit back.
America seems to love the sexy psychos; Actress Ruth Wilson has been the breakout star of Luther as the scarily bright killer Alice Morgan. She talks to ALISON JONES about making the leap to big screen blockbusters appearing in the new Lone Ranger film
I've worried about to fake all tries to do it get us up on I was quite insistent with Gore (Verbinski - the director) that I wanted to be a bit tougher, and snap back and scratch back and spit back.
America seems to love the sexy psychos; Actress Ruth Wilson has been the breakout star of Luther as the scarily bright killer Alice Morgan. She talks to ALISON JONES about making the leap to big screen blockbusters appearing in the new Lone Ranger film
We were down and had to scratch back," Singler said.
One tuff re-Buffing
Should have thrived against a scratch back four but failed to shine.
I'll go out on a high; Barcelona 3 Manchester Utd 1 Champions League Final Pep ready to quit greatest side on earth
We tried to scratch back, but the deficit was too big, and Torres did a good job on the mound," Mocerino said.
Torres settles in to tame Northboro; North County strikes first on strength of gritty pitching, timely hitting
And it means that Wales' personnel crisis has gone from bad to worse with a scratch back line now assembled to take on the championship favourites this Sunday.
Outrage as crowd taunt gets star Thomas a 4-week ban
Being a company that started from scratch back in the early '90s, we built up our staff from scratch and ended up with a highly, technically competent group.
The hallmark of technology: RenaissanceRe stands out among reinsurers for its innovative use of technology in underwriting, particularly when it involves catastrophe modeling
His grandad, the late Bernard Snr, Ben for short, built up the shops from scratch back in 1944 into the biggest retail business in Ireland.
It didn't sink in that he was a boy.. I was too busy staring at his little toes and fingers; MODEL MUM VIVIENNE ON THE GROWING DUNNE DYNASTY
With Cov using the opportunity to play four guest forwards in their starting XV and forced to put out a scratch back line, the game was largely a no contest with Northampton scoring three tries in the opening 11 minutes to lead 19-0 and a dozen in total before referee Paul Dickens whistled up early.
RUGBY UNION: Not quite what the Nighthawks expected; FOCUS ON THE LOCAL LEAGUE AND CUP ACTION
Usually I find a stick and scratch back last year's grass, now brown, a casualty of winter's hard freezes.
Buttercups herald the return of spring
Churchill (16-4 overall, 9-3 league) opened the game with a 9-0 run, then saw Willamette scratch back to within two by halftime.
Lancers second after win
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