bow to
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To lower your head or body to show respect to someone, or to agree to do what someone wants because they have power.
Literal meaning: To incline the head or body forward toward a specific person as a sign of respect.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To make a bowing gesture toward someone as a sign of respect or reverence.
"The students bowed to their sensei at the beginning and end of each class."
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To yield to pressure, demands, or authority, sometimes reluctantly.
"The company bowed to consumer pressure and withdrew the controversial product from sale."
"We will never bow to terror."
— Tony Blair, speech to the House of Commons after the 7/7 London bombings, 2005
Usage notes
The figurative sense of yielding to pressure is very common in politics, business, and public discourse. It often implies reluctance — the subject gives in but perhaps not willingly.
Commonly used with
pressure demands public opinion convention king reality
Forms
Base
bow to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bows to
he/she/it
Past simple
bowed to
yesterday
Past participle
bowed to
have + pp
-ing form
bowing to
continuous
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Synonyms
yield to submit to defer to capitulate to give in to comply with
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