bow down
The phrase "bow down" is often used to describe acts of respect, submission, or yielding, depending on the context.
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Definition
B2General
(formal, polite)To lower the upper part of the body as a gesture of respect or submission.
Example
- The citizens bow down before the king during the ceremony.
C1Social Dynamics
(informal, slang)To acknowledge someone's superiority or to submit to their authority.
Example
- In the debate, he had to bow down to the more experienced opponent.
C1Cultural
(slang, African-American Vernacular)To recognize someone's skills or dominance, often in a casual or playful manner.
Example
- You gotta bow down to her talent; she's the best in the game.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "bow down":
bowing and scrapingtake a bowbow and scrapeon bended kneetremble and obeyon one's kneesget down onget downbend the kneetake a kneeback downbend overlook downmake one's bowduck downstand downassume the positionfall downfall in line