To make a great effort; to take extraordinary care; to go to great lengths.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bend over, backwards.
To strive, or to make efforts, with a twisting, or with contortions of the body.
To strive, to labour in difficulty, to fight (for or against), to contend.
A contortion of the body in an attempt to escape or to perform a difficult task.
Strife, contention, great effort.