Phrasal verb
bend over
Meanings
to lean your upper body forward and down, usually from the waist
to move down toward something low in order to look at it more closely
Definition
To bend over means to lean your upper body forward and down.
When you bend over, you move your upper body forward and downward, usually from the waist. People do this to pick something up, look closely at something low, or reach a lower surface. It often happens quickly and naturally during everyday actions.
Examples
- I had to bend over to tie my shoelace.
- Can you bend over and check if the plug is fully in the socket?
- He bent over to pick up the keys he dropped.
- She bent over the sink to rinse her hair.
- They bent over to look at the puppy sleeping under the bench.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "bend down" in every situation, but "bend over" is more natural when focusing on the waist and upper body leaning forward.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.