When it comes to getting ahead in life, it's often necessary to build up alliances and connections with others. That's where the phrase "scratch someone's back" comes into play. But if you're looking to mix things up and express the same sentiment in a different way, there are plenty of synonyms you can use. For example, you could offer to do someone a favor, make a trade, lend a hand, or return the favor. Each of these phrases conveys the idea of helping somebody out in order to gain something in return, which is essentially what "scratching someone's back" is all about.
