Question

I have bent over backwards trying to prevent my other half sauntering around in the buff. What does this idiomatic phrase actually mean?

Answer 1

It may mean that a person has taken a step backwards or changed his initial plan to do something.  He thinks it is better to withhold the rest of his action. He goes on the back foot.  He does so in order to protect more exposure of his innocence or ill preparedness or ignorance or lack of expertise.

He is trying save himself by covering himself .