He understood automobile engines backwards and forwards.
He knew basketball rules backwards and forwards.
I explained matters to him so that he understood backwards and forwards how it was.
Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". Оригинал: A.Маккей, М.Т.Боткер, Дж.И.Гейтс. 1997.
backward\ and\ forward — • backward(s) and forward(s) adv. phr. To the full extent; in all details; thoroughly; completely. He understood automobile engines backwards and forwards. He knew basketball rules backwards and forwards. I explained matters to him so that he… … Словарь американских идиом
backward and forward — or[backwards and forwards] {adv. phr.} To the full extent; in all details; thoroughly; completely. * /He understood automobile engines backwards and forwards./ * /He knew basketball rules backwards and forwards./ * /I explained matters to him so… … Dictionary of American idioms
backward and forward — or[backwards and forwards] {adv. phr.} To the full extent; in all details; thoroughly; completely. * /He understood automobile engines backwards and forwards./ * /He knew basketball rules backwards and forwards./ * /I explained matters to him so… … Dictionary of American idioms
backwards\ and\ forwards — • backward(s) and forward(s) adv. phr. To the full extent; in all details; thoroughly; completely. He understood automobile engines backwards and forwards. He knew basketball rules backwards and forwards. I explained matters to him so that he… … Словарь американских идиом
backward — backward, backwards 1. For the adverb, both forms are in use, although backward is somewhat more common in AmE and backwards in BrE: • Talk ran backward from the events of the morning A. Munro, CanE 1987 • I walked backward to look at her in the… … Modern English usage
backward(s) and forward(s) — ˌbackward(s) and ˈforward(s) idiom from one place or position to another and back again many times • She rocked backwards and forwards on her chair. Main entry: ↑backwardsidiom … Useful english dictionary
backward — adjective 1 (only before noun) made in a direction towards what is behind you: She went without a backward glance. 2 developing slowly and less successfully than most others: some of the more backward countries | a backward child compare forward… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
backward — 1. adjective 1) a backward look Syn: rearward, to/toward the rear, to/toward the back, behind one, reverse Ant: forward 2) the decision was a backward step Syn: retrograde, retrogressive … Thesaurus of popular words
backward — back|ward1 [ bækwərd ] adjective * 1. ) only before noun moving or looking in the direction that is behind you: a backward glance 2. ) not developing quickly, normally, and successfully: a remote and backward region a ) OLD FASHIONED an offensive … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
forwards — forward, forwards 1. For the adjective, the correct form in standard English is forward: • It has four forward gears and reverse controlled by a speed sensing governor Daily Telegraph, 1971 • Already clouds of steam were rising, obscuring the… … Modern English usage
