bow before

bow before (someone)

To obey, pledge allegiance, or submit one's will to someone, especially in a reverential or servile manner. My allegiance is to my own country; I'll never bow before you! The autocratic CEO all but makes his employees bow before him. I refuse to bow before a fool like him just because he has a lot of money.

See also: before, bow

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

bow before someone or something

 

1. Lit. to bend or curtsy in respect to someone or something. I will not bow before any king or queen. Henry insisted that I bow before him.

2. Fig. to submit to someone or something; to surrender to someone or something. Our country will never bow before a dictator's demands. We will not bow before such a corrupt politician.

See also: before, bow

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.