on your hands and knees

on (one's) hands and knees

1. Literally, with one's hands and knees on the ground. I got down on my hands and knees to look for my contact lens. We crawled on our hands and knees to avoid breathing in the smoke from the fire.

2. In a show of supplication, submission, or humility. I had to go back on my hands and knees and beg for my old job back. With this weapon, the leaders of the world will be on their hands and knees before us!

See also: and, hand, knee, on

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

on your ˌhands and ˈknees

with your knees, toes and hands on the ground: The tunnel was so low in places that we had to crawl along on our hands and knees. ♢ She was down on her hands and knees looking for her earring.

See also: and, hand, knee, on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017