bow down

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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)

See also: bow, down

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? References in classic literature
We live in freedom, but you bow down to and slave for men, who in return for your services flog you with whips and put collars on your necks. Fables by Aesop View in context Michael,' he says, 'come here and bow down to his feet; and you, young woman, you bow down too; and you, grandchildren, also bow down before him War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo View in context Eumaeus was frightened at the outcry they all raised, so he put the bow down then and there, but Telemachus shouted out at him from the other side of the cloisters, and threatened him saying, "Father Eumaeus, bring the bow on in spite of them, or young as I am I will pelt you with stones back to the country, for I am the better man of the two. The Odyssey by Homer View in context More results

References in classic literature

We live in freedom, but you bow down to and slave for men, who in return for your services flog you with whips and put collars on your necks.

Fables by Aesop View in context

Michael,' he says, 'come here and bow down to his feet; and you, young woman, you bow down too; and you, grandchildren, also bow down before him

War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo View in context

Eumaeus was frightened at the outcry they all raised, so he put the bow down then and there, but Telemachus shouted out at him from the other side of the cloisters, and threatened him saying, "Father Eumaeus, bring the bow on in spite of them, or young as I am I will pelt you with stones back to the country, for I am the better man of the two.

The Odyssey by Homer View in context

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