bring someone to their knees

bring (someone or something) to (someone's or something's) knees

1. To render a person or group submissive by weakening or defeating them. The general believes that such an attack will bring the opposing troops to their knees.

2. To disrupt or halt a process or thing. Unfortunately, a broken printer has brought the mailing project to its knees. Many fear that all of these new regulations will bring the stock market to its knees.

bring someone to their knees

If something brings a person to their knees, it makes them extremely weak or tired. The pressure of other people's expectations brought me almost to my knees. Note: You can also say that someone is on their knees. Several times this afternoon he had sounded as if he were on his knees.