bow to someone or something

bow to someone or something
bow down (to someone or something) & bow to someone or something
1. Lit. to bend or curtsy to someone or something. •

Do you expect me to bow down or something when you enter?

He bowed down low to the duchess.

She faced forward and bowed to the altar.

2. Fig. to submit to someone or something; to yield sovereignty to someone or something. •

I will not bow down to you, you dictator!

We will never bow to a foreign prince.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • bow down to — ˌbow ˈdown to [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they bow down to he/she/it bows down to present participle bowing down to past tense …   Useful english dictionary

  • bow down to someone — bow down (to (someone/something)) to obey someone or something. The old man expects me to bow down to him, but I won t do it. Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bow down (= to show obedience or respect by bending the head down or the body …   New idioms dictionary

  • bow down to something — bow down (to (someone/something)) to obey someone or something. The old man expects me to bow down to him, but I won t do it. Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bow down (= to show obedience or respect by bending the head down or the body …   New idioms dictionary

  • bow down to — bow down (to (someone/something)) to obey someone or something. The old man expects me to bow down to him, but I won t do it. Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bow down (= to show obedience or respect by bending the head down or the body …   New idioms dictionary

  • bow down — (to (someone/something)) to obey someone or something. The old man expects me to bow down to him, but I won t do it. Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bow down (= to show obedience or respect by bending the head down or the body forward) …   New idioms dictionary

  • bow — I BENDING OR SUBMITTING bows, bowing, bowed (Pronounced [[t]ba͟ʊ[/t]] in bow 1 and 2, and [[t]bo͟ʊ[/t]] in bow 3.) 1) VERB When you bow to someone, you briefly bend your body towards them as a formal way of greeting them or showing respect. [V to …   English dictionary

  • bow to sb/sth phrasal — verb (T) to finally agree to do something that people want you to, even though you do not want to do it: Congress may bow to public pressure and lift the arms embargo. 2 noun 1 (C) the act of bending the top part of your body forward to show… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • bow — I. /baʊ / (say bow) verb (i) 1. to bend or curve downwards; stoop: the pines bowed low. 2. to yield; submit: to bow to the inevitable. 3. to bend the body or head in worship, reverence, respect, or submission. 4. to incline the head or body, or… …  

  • bow — bow1 [ bau ] verb * 1. ) intransitive to bend your body forward from the waist, especially to show respect for someone: Paul rose from his chair, bowed, and left the room. bow to: Do people still have to bow to the Queen? 2. ) intransitive or… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • bow — bow1 [bau] v 1.) to bend the top part of your body forward in order to show respect for someone important, or as a way of thanking an ↑audience ▪ She bowed and left the stage. ▪ Corbett entered the room, bowing respectfully. ▪ The servant bowed… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • bow — I UK [baʊ] / US verb Word forms bow : present tense I/you/we/they bow he/she/it bows present participle bowing past tense bowed past participle bowed * 1) [intransitive] to bend your body forwards from the waist, especially to show respect for… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”