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to bob

to bob

1 8.6
To bend the knees quickly as a sign of respect
  • verb
  • /bɑb/
  • Archaic
translation icon : hacer una reverencia
  • When the teacher entered, the students bobbed their heads in acknowledgment.
  • bob a small bow

Examples

  • Perrin slung his saddlebags and blanket roll over his shoulder and carried his bow as he followed Moiraine and Lan inside, with Simion bowing and bobbing ahead of them.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • As a sign of respect, she gracefully bobbed in front of the audience.

  • Let's all bob our heads for a brief moment of prayer, those who can.

  • "Only if you will allow us to add our food to yours," Alfred said, bobbing another awkward bow.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He responded to the compliment by bobbing a quick curtsy.

Synonyms

to curtsy
vsto bob
7 6.5

To lower the body slightly by bending the knees as a polite greeting, often by women

is a quick version used as a brief sign of respect

Antonyms

115 3.5

To show a lack of respect for someone

Idioms

no siree Bob
  • Informal
1 9.9

A strong informal phrase for refusing something

Phrasal Verbs

1 4.9

Appear suddenly and without warning

1 3.9

Move up and down gently while floating in water or air

1 6.1

Move up and down lightly on water, like small boats

To go briefly below the water surface

Compounds

9.9

A short, rounded fashionable haircut with a neat, even shape often seen in LGBTQ+ culture

7.0

A heavy pointed weight on a string used to show a vertical line

How Deep

to genuflect
  • Formal
5 9.9
to curtsy
7 6.5
to bob
  • Archaic
1 8.6
to dip
41 2.7

Surface Forms

bob infinitive
bobbed past
bobbed past participle
bobbing present participle
bobs third person singular

Etymology

Bob (verb, curtsy) meaning to give a quick curtsy comes from the verb bob, 'to make a short low movement'. A curtsy is called a bob because the person briefly bobs down in respect.