bow something down Definition

bow¹
verb bowed, bowing

1. To bend (the head or the upper part of the body) forwards and downwards.

Example: bow one's head
Form: bow down (also)
intr
2. To bend the head or the upper part of the body forwards and downwards, usually as a sign of greeting, respect, shame, etc or to acknowledge applause.

Thesaurus: bend, stoop, dip, drop, incline, bob, duck, kowtow, salaam.
Form: bow down before someone (also sometimes)
Form: bow down before something
3. To express (eg thanks or acceptance) with a bow.
4. To accept or submit to it, especially unwillingly.

Thesaurus: surrender, submit, capitulate, concede, acquiesce, yield; Antonym: resist.
Form: bow to something (usually)

noun

1. An act of bowing.

Thesaurus: nod, bend, curtsy, genuflection, salutation, salaam.

Idiom: bow and scrape

derog
To behave with excessive politeness or deference.

Idiom: take a bow

To acknowledge applause or recognition.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon bugan to bend.

Phrasal Verb: bow something or someone down

To crush it or them down.

Phrasal Verb: bow down to someone

To agree to obey them, or to submit to them.

Phrasal Verb: bow someone in or out

To usher them in or out, etc with a formal or respectful bow.

Phrasal Verb: bow out

To stop taking part; to retire or withdraw.