ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take a bow

idiom
Meaning

To accept praise, as performers in a theater at the end of their act.


Examples
SIMPLE

You did a great job, so take a bow.

CONTEXTUAL

After the team finished the successful project, the manager told everyone to take a bow for their hard work.

COMPLEX

As the final notes of the symphony faded into silence, the conductor turned to the audience and invited the talented soloists to take a bow.

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

    be taken ill

    To become ill.

  3. 03

    bow and scrape

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

  4. 04

    bow down

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

  5. 05

    bow down before the porcelain god

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

  6. 06

    bow out

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

  7. 07

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  8. 08

    draw a long bow

    To lie; to exaggerate.

Last updated April 17, 2026