# bend over

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bend-over
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to move the top part of your body forward and down.

For teachers: to incline the torso forward and downward from the waist or hips.

## Examples

- I have to bend over to tie my shoes.
- She had to bend over the desk to read the small print on the document.
- The gardener spent the entire afternoon bending over the flower beds, carefully removing weeds without damaging the delicate roots of the perennials.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He bended over." but "He bent over." — the past tense of 'bend' is 'bent', not 'bended'.

## Usage notes

- often used with 'to' or 'and' followed by an action.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'lean over' (which implies a slight tilt or support) and 'bend down' (which is more general and often involves the knees); 'bend over' specifically focuses on the waist.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.