to bow
127
6.3
- verb
- /baʊ/
:
ceder ante
- Only science can win, and religion must bow gracefully to its preeminence.
- bow to pressure
- bow and scrape
- bow to the government
But in the end, the guru has to bow to the unique self.
- But in the end, the guru has to bow to the unique self.
Examples
-
Emile would then become an independent individual and not have to bow to others to earn a living.
Academic text (1997) -
But in the end, the guru has to bow to the unique self.
-
Whatever may happen, I shall bow to his will.
-
But even the most committed woman driver must bow to nature.
-
People will bow to it.
-
But you know, Annie, I bow to fear.
-
Despite the dispute, the sculptor finally had to bow to the custom of meeting a client's wishes.
Academic text (1995) -
Nevertheless, astronomers have bowed to the empirical nature of their subject.
Academic text (2000) -
But the Poles in 1920 steadfastly refused to bow before the Soviet Russian dictatorship.
Academic text (1999) -
We can't expect people to just bow to our wishes.
Synonyms
722
4.4
To stop fighting and give control or things to someone else, often when forced
220
3.0
To stop resisting and agree to what others want
187
4.1
To accept another person's control, often against your wishes
36
6.2
To accept another person's opinion or decision out of respect
31
5.8
To stop resisting and allow something to happen, like a person giving in or a storm easing
30
3.7
Lower your head or body to show respect, often as a sign that you obey someone
23
8.4
To stop fighting back and accept defeat or demands
12
9.2
To behave very obediently to please a person in power
9
8.9
To show too much respect and obedience to someone in power
7
8.2
To agree to a request or demand after hesitation
5
7.6
To give in to pressure or demands from others
4
8.4
To give in to pressure or someone in charge even if you do not want to
3
9.4
Behave too politely and humbly to please someone
2
6.7
To give in to pressure even though you do not want to
2
8.4
To give in to pressure or criticism
1
8.4
To show loyalty and obey a powerful person
To do what someone else wants even if you do not want to
Idioms
4
7.7
An early warning action or comment showing a stronger response may follow
- Archaic
To tell a story in a way that makes what happened sound bigger or not true
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
1
4.0
A thin curved stick with horsehair used to play the violin by drawing it across the strings
- Archaic
1
9.9
A member of London's first organized police force from the mid 1700s to the early 1800s
1
4.7
A window that sticks out from a wall in a gentle curve to give more light and space
Legs that curve outward at the knees so the feet and ankles touch while the knees are apart
Legs that curve outward below the knee so the knees stay apart when the feet are together
- Specialized
A bow movement from the part near your hand toward the tip when playing a string instrument
- Specialized
An upward movement of the bow from tip toward the hand when playing violin or cello
How Submissive
Surface Forms
Etymology
Bow meaning 'to yield' comes from the physical idea of bending down: to bow to someone is to give in or submit, so the verb moved from 'bend' to 'agree' or 'accept'.