To try to impress someone by performing difficult feats or through hard work

Etymology:

  • Possibly taken from the early 1970’s phrase, standing on your head and spitting nickels, which means to do something impossible or astonishing
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The youngest child would often stand on his head to curry favor with his parents by executing his siblings’ chores, before they could.

Submitted by JokerGem on March 15, 2023

Modified by JokerGem on June 14, 2023

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    "stand on one’s head." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/stand-on-ones-head_63328>.

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