bow and scrape: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘bow and scrape’ mean?
The idiom "bow and scrape" means to show excessive humility or subservience, often to someone in a position of power or authority.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take a bow" means to receive recognition or applause for one's achievements or performance. It is often used when someone has done something well and is being acknowledged by others.
The idiom "knock down a peg" means to humble or deflate someone's ego or pride. It is used when someone's self-importance or arrogance needs to be brought down to a more reasonable level.
The idiom "kiss up to" means to flatter, praise, or show excessive admiration to someone, often in order to gain favor or win their approval. It implies insincere or obsequious behavior.
The idiom "kiss up" means to flatter or praise someone excessively in order to gain favor or advantage, usually in a sycophantic or insincere manner.
The idiom "kiss someone's ass" means to excessively flatter or show submissive behavior towards someone in order to gain their favor or approval.
The idiom "kiss ass" means to excessively flatter or praise someone in order to gain favor or advantage, typically in a subservient or insincere manner.
The idiom "kiss arse" means to obsequiously flatter or grovel in order to gain favor or advantage, often by being excessively complimentary or subservient towards someone in a position of power or authority.
The idiom 'humble pie' means a person's acknowledgment of their mistake or humiliation, often with a sense of humility and remorse.
The idiom "hat in hand" means to be humble or submissive, often after a failure or when seeking forgiveness or help.
Unmasking Symbolic Gestures
The idiom "bow down" is closely related to "bow and scrape," as both phrases involve the act of bowing as a gesture of respect and submission. When someone "bows down," they are showing a similar level of deference and subservience as someone who is "bowing and scraping." The phrase "bow down" can be used to describe a person who willingly submits or shows reverence to someone of higher social status or authority.
Another related idiom is "bend the knee," which also conveys the idea of submission and deference. When someone "bends the knee," they are figuratively showing respect and loyalty to a person or cause, much like the act of bowing in "bow and scrape." This phrase is often used in the context of pledging allegiance or fealty.
Lastly, the idiom "take a bow" relates to "bow and scrape" in a different way. "Take a bow" is used to acknowledge and accept praise or applause for one's accomplishments or performance. While it doesn't involve the same subservience as "bow and scrape," it does involve the literal act of bowing as a gesture of gratitude and humility.
Overall, these idioms demonstrate the various ways in which bowing is used to convey deference, respect, and subservience in different contexts. Whether it's through the excessive and obsequious behavior described in "bow and scrape," or the act of willingly submitting and showing loyalty in "bow down" and "bend the knee," bowing has long been associated with displays of deference and respect in human interaction.
The idiom "bow and scrape" refers to an excessive and obsequious behavior that involves a display of deference and subservience. This phrase, rooted in the physical actions of bowing and scraping, symbolizes a lack of self-respect and a willingness to please and appease someone in a position of power or authority. While "bow down" and "bend the knee" convey similar levels of deference and submission, the phrase "take a bow" acknowledges and accepts praise or applause. These idioms illustrate the complex dynamics between authority and subservience, and the fine line between respect and sycophancy.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "bow and scrape" can be used in a sentence:
- He always bows and scrapes in front of his boss, hoping to receive a promotion.
- The servant was taught to bow and scrape whenever a guest entered the house.
- Despite his wealth, the arrogant businessman would never bow and scrape to anyone.
More "Respect" idioms
