do someone a favour hoping that a favour will be returned
help someone with something difficult, expecting to be helped back when needed
I don’t mind helping him out this time, he’s scratched my back many times.
I’ve scratched your back often, now it’s your turn. Do me this favour and we’re even.
I’ll finish your work if you get the groceries for me – you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.
The corrupt official escaped punishment because he has been scratching the minister’s back.
To successfully run a big business empire, you have to scratch the government’s back occasionally.
I needed some information which he would not have given me, so I had to scratch his back to get it.
There is no origin for this idiom
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definition
Common phrase that has a specific meaning.