ENGLISH
REFERENCE

touch the hem of someone's garment

idiom
Meaning

To give respect or reverence to someone; to express servitude to someone; to draw strength or comfort from someone who is superior.


Origin

disputed origin

An allusion to the Biblical tale (Matthew 9:20) of the woman who was cured of disease when she touched the hem of Christ's garment.

Examples
SIMPLE

He feels he cannot even touch the hem of his mentor's garment.

CONTEXTUAL

The young musician was so humble that he claimed he could not touch the hem of his teacher's garment.

COMPLEX

In the presence of the legendary poet, the aspiring writer felt as though he were barely worthy to touch the hem of her garment.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    another nail in someone's coffin

    An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

  2. 02

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  3. 03

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  4. 04

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  5. 05

    bane of someone's existence

    Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.

  6. 06

    bash someone's face in

    To beat someone violently.

  7. 07

    bash someone's head

    To beat up someone violently.

  8. 08

    be someone's to lose

    To be anticipated to be won by someone.

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