BACKWARDS

[US and ANZ] also backward [adverb] [not gradable] - towards the direction which is opposite to the one in which you are facing or opposite to the usual directionI walked backwards towards the door.He took a step backwards to allow her to pass.(figurative) This will be seen as a step backwards (= as a return to older and less effective ways).He began counting backwards: "Ten, nine, eight ..."Compare forwards.Paul paced anxiously backwards and forwards (= first in one direction and then in the opposite one).To bend/lean over backwards is to try very hard to do something.I've been bending over backwards trying to help you and this is all the thanks I get.