1back·ward (chiefly US) or back·wards 
/ˈbækwɚd/ /ˈbækwɚdz/ adverb
/ˈbækwɚd/ /ˈbækwɚdz/ adverb 1 : toward the back : to or toward what is behind
▪ a sudden movement backward, not forward ▪ I heard a noise behind me and glanced backward. ▪ He pushed the throttle backward. ▪ She took a small step backward. ▪ Can you skate backward? 2 : opposite to the usual way : in reverse
▪ Count backward from 10. 3 : toward the past
▪ a journey backward in time ▪ The narrative moves backward and forward in time. 4 : to or toward a less advanced state or condition : toward a worse state
▪ His new job, which paid less and had fewer responsibilities, felt like a step backward.
▪ a sudden movement backward, not forward ▪ I heard a noise behind me and glanced backward. ▪ He pushed the throttle backward. ▪ She took a small step backward. ▪ Can you skate backward?
▪ Count backward from 10.
▪ a journey backward in time ▪ The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
▪ His new job, which paid less and had fewer responsibilities, felt like a step backward.
bend over backward or lean over backward also fall over backward
: to make a great effort to help someone or to reach agreement with someone
▪ The salesman said he would bend over backward to make the deal. ▪ I've leaned over backward to please you—and you haven't even said thank you!
▪ The salesman said he would bend over backward to make the deal. ▪ I've leaned over backward to please you—and you haven't even said thank you!
know something backward and forward — see 1know
