- To do a favor for someone with the expectation or understanding that they will do a favor for you in return. Often used in the full phrase: You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours.
Explanation
Origin
- The phrase likely comes from the literal difficulty of scratching one's own back. It's easier if someone else does it for you.
- This act of mutual assistance was extended metaphorically to doing favors for each other.
- The expression has been around since at least the 18th century.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Hook each other up
- Do each other solids (A 'solid' is a favor)
- Look out for each other
Milder/Formal:
- Engage in mutual assistance
- Establish a reciprocal agreement
- Offer a quid pro quo
- Cooperate for mutual benefit
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Can sometimes imply slightly unethical or self-serving cooperation, especially in business or politics, so use with care in formal settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The literal meaning is irrelevant; non-native speakers need to understand it refers to mutual favors, not actual physical scratching. The potential negative connotation of slightly shady dealings might also be missed.
Examples
- Politics often involves a lot of scratching each other's backs.
- He helped me get the job, and I helped him with his application – just scratching each other's backs.
- If you help me move this weekend, I'll help you paint next weekend. You know, scratch my back...
Dialogue
Politician A: If you support my bill, I'll make sure your district gets that funding next year.
Politician B: You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Sounds like a plan.
Politician A: Excellent. We have an understanding.
Social Media Examples
- Post: Networking event tonight. Time to do some 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours'. #Business #Networking
- Tweet: Is it collaboration or just scratching each other's backs? Sometimes the line is blurry in this industry. #OfficePolitics
- Comment: That whole committee decision felt like a classic case of 'you scratch my back...'
Response Patterns
- To the full phrase (You scratch my back...): Okay, deal. or What do you need? or Sounds fair.
- If describing a situation: Ah, so it's one of *those* arrangements. or That's how things work sometimes.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After the phrase is used to propose a deal:
- The listener will typically agree, disagree, or clarify the terms of the mutual favors.
- Action involves carrying out the agreed-upon favors.
After the phrase is used to describe a situation:
- One might ask for more details about the mutual arrangement (What did he do for her?).
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to propose or describe a reciprocal arrangement.
Intonation
- In the full phrase You SCRATCH my BACK, and I'll SCRATCH YOURS, emphasis is on scratch, back, and yours.
- When used alone (scratching someone's back), stress is on scratch and back.
- Can have a slightly cynical or pragmatic tone.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood across generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in most English-speaking regions.