ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bow and scrape

idiom
Meaning

To behave in a servile, obsequious, or excessively polite manner.


Examples
SIMPLE

He does not like to bow and scrape to his boss.

CONTEXTUAL

The ambitious intern felt he had to bow and scrape to the senior partners to get a promotion.

COMPLEX

The courtier was known to bow and scrape before the king, hoping that such displays of humility would secure him a favorable position in the royal household.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    another string to one's bow

    Another skill, ability or resource to be used in case of failure.

  2. 02

    bow down

    To bow, to bend oneself as a gesture of deference or respect.

  3. 03

    bow down before the porcelain god

    Synonym of worship the porcelain god (“to vomit into a toilet bowl”).

  4. 04

    bow out

    To resign, or leave, with one's credibility or reputation still intact.

  5. 05

    draw a long bow

    To lie; to exaggerate.

  6. 06

    draw the long bow

    To exaggerate; to tell tall tales.

  7. 07

    make one's bow

    To debut, to bow.

  8. 08

    pull the long bow

    Synonym of draw the long bow (“to exaggerate; to tell tall tales”).

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