scratch one's back

scratch one's back {v. phr.}, {informal}

To do something kind and helpful for someone or to flatter him in the hope that he will do something for you. Usually used in the expression "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

Mary asked Jean to introduce her to her brother. Jean said, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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from scratch

[from scratch] {adv. phr.}, {informal} With no help from anything done before; from the beginning; from nothing. * /Dick built a radio from scratch./ * /In sewing class, Mary already […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

back

[back] See: [BACK OF] or [IN BACK OF], [BEHIND ONE'S BACK], [BRUSH BACK], [COME BACK], [CUT BACK], [DOUBLE BACK], [DRAW BACK], [DROP BACK]. [EYES IN THE BACK OF ONE'S HEAD], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

scratch

[scratch] See: [FROM SCRATCH], [PUT ONE'S MONEY ON A SCRATCHED HORSE], [UP TO PAR] or [UP TO SCRATCH]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

scratch around for

[scratch around for] {v. phr.} To search randomly for something. * /If you scratch around for a more reliable used car, maybe you'll feel more confident on the road./ A Dictionary of American Idioms

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