# bow down

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bow-down
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The actors bow down to the audience after the play.
- In the old story, the villagers had to bow down whenever the king walked by.
- The defeated soldiers were forced to bow down before the conqueror as a sign of their total submission.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.