scratch someone's back

English

Verb

scratch someone's back (third-person singular simple present scratches someone's back, present participle scratching someone's back, simple past and past participle scratched someone's back)

1. (informal) To do someone a favour.

Related terms

• backscratcher
• backscratching
• you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

See also

• green handshake
• pay-to-play
• quid pro quo