To bend the body forward as a sign of respect or worship, or to submit to someone's power.
To lower your head and body to show respect, or to stop fighting someone's power and do what they say.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To bend the upper body or kneel as a gesture of reverence, worship, or respect.
"The monks bowed down before the altar at the beginning of the ceremony."
You shall not make for yourself an idol... you shall not bow down to them or worship them.
— Exodus 20:4-5, The Bible (NIV)
To submit to someone's authority, pressure, or power, often reluctantly.
"The government refused to bow down to the protesters' demands."
To bend (bow) the body downward, typically at the waist or by kneeling.
To lower your head and body to show respect, or to stop fighting someone's power and do what they say.
The literal sense is used in religious, ceremonial, and cultural contexts. The figurative sense carries a strong tone of reluctant or forced submission. The phrase is also used dramatically to mean showing total admiration.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
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